When are your battles won? When is the test aced? When is a marathon won? When is a car’s crashworthiness proven?
BEFORE the battle. BEFORE the test. BEFORE the race. BEFORE the crash.
How you get through your battles in life, your tests… how you run your race, and how you survive your crashes will not be determined at the time of the battles, tests, races or crashes, but will be determined by how ready and prepared you are.
Parents, the same goes with your children. Your job is getting your children ready to victoriously get through their battles in life, their tests… train them to run their best race, and survive their crashes. Knowing this, when your children are young, you want to give them as many tools as possible to train and prepare them so they will be better equipped to victoriously conquer challenges in life. Realize the importance of Philippians 2.9 concerning how to empower your children with what you know in Christ: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. If your children are to learn, you need to teach; if they are to receive, you need to give; if they are to hear, you need to speak; and if they are to see, you need to do.
This should challenge and change your lifestyle, as well as your parenting style. Live and parent with purpose. Things need to be done strategically, intentionally, and purposefully, with the end result in mind.
We will face battles. We will be shaken.[i]
PREpared.
We are soldiers. In a war. For our souls: our minds (what we think), which governs our wills (what we want), and our emotions (how we feel).[ii] When soldiers aren’t fighting, they should be getting ready for the next battle.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Timothy 2.3-4
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6.10-13
Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6.12
The evidence that a soldier takes his battle seriously, and understands the strength of his enemy, is seen in how he arms and prepares himself.[iii]
Train, learn, and dedicate yourself to being in boot camp. Learn, hear, receive and watch and be vigilant. Also, be the boot camp leader that is able to equip your children for their battles once they are out of basic training by teaching, speaking, giving, and doing. Even if sometimes it means you have to tweak your own lifestyle, go learn something, and be stronger in areas if just because your children need you to. This is warfare. You want to be able to say, and to hear your children say, I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. 2 Timothy 4.7
What are you doing right now to prepare yourself to get through hard times? What are you storing up? …do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6.18-19
Studied up.
We need to study to be ready for our tests.
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. 2 Timothy 2.15
Many people pick and choose which Bible verses to live by.[iv] But the entire Bible is God’s Word to us, ,,,Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3.16-17
People will try to twist the Scriptures as the Devil did to Eve in the Garden when he asked Has God really said?? (Genesis 3.1), and as the Devil did to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 4.4-8). There will be false prophets and false teachers among us (2 Peter 2.1). They appear as ministers of righteous, as apostles, as messengers of light (2 Corinthians 11.13-15). We need to be able to correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2.15) We need to study, as the Bereans did, …They were very willing to receive God’s message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17.11)
…[E]vil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Tim 3.13), and people will not endure sound doctrine but will have “itching ears” that desire more “teachers” (2 Tim 4.3). Believers are commanded to hold fast the faithful word as [you] have been taught (Titus 1.9), to strive not about words to no profit (2 Tim 2.14); not giv[e] heed to … fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth (Titus 1.14); avoid… profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called (1 Tim 6.20); refuse profane and old wives’ fables (1 Tim 4.7); avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain (Titus 3.9); and mostly to study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD OF TRUTH (2 Tim 2.15). In other words, we NEED to know the truth, and the truth shall make you FREE (John 8.32).
If you don’t know the Truth, you will not know false teachings. When do you know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8.32)? When you …abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them] (John 8.31)
Study the Word of God. If someone wants to really know me, they listen to the things I say and learn my heart through those things. If you really want to know God and have a stronger relationship with Jesus, hear Him… listen to what He says. All His Word is profitable (2 Timothy 3.16)… there will always be gain on your investment in it! Profitable for what?
The Word is a light and lamp (Prov 6.23); it cleanses us, keeps us from sin, gives us hope and comfort, quickens us in the way of righteousness, gives us understanding (Ps 119); it makes us wise unto salvation and is profitable (2 Tim 3.15-16); it stands forever (Is 40.8); will never return void (Is 45.23; 55.11); will judge us (John 12.28); is the Word of truth (Eph 1.16; John 17.16-7; 1 Pet 1.23; 2 Cor 6.7; Col 1.15; 2 Tim 2.15; James 1.18); the Word of life (1 John 1.1); the Word of power upholding all things (Heb 1.3); the law of liberty (James 1.25); is not bound (2 Tim 2.9); it is committed to us as the Word of reconciliation (2 Cor 5.19); it is our offensive weapon against the enemy (Eph 6.17); all creation came into existence by it (and God said – Gen 1.3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26; Heb 11.3); it testifies of Christ (John 5.39); it endures forever (1 Pet 1.25; Matt 24.35; Mark 13.31 and Luke 21.33); it works effectually in you (1 Thess 2.13); it is our healing and deliverance (Ps 107.20; Matt 8.16); and the Word made flesh is Jesus Himself (John 1.14). It shows us our motives and what moves us (Heb. 4.12).
We’re to desire it (1 Pet 2.2); meditate on it and observe to do it to make our way prosperous and have good success (Josh 1.8); live by it (Matt 4.4), and the disobedient stumble at it (1 Pet 2.8); God is looking for people who will tremble at it (Is 66.2); in end times people will be killed for it (Rev 6.9); there’s a famine of it in the land (Amos 8.11); Jesus said we err not knowing it (Matt 22.29); it was in the beginning (John 1.1), and when Jesus comes back He’ll come back with it! (Rev 1.16).
Know Jesus, know His Word and His ways and His heart. Study and show yourself approved as someone who can rightly divide the Word of God and can discern error.
How much time do you spend knowing the Lord intimately and hearing what He has to say to you through His Word? Do you study and then live according to His Word of life?
Strength built up.
We are in a race. Surrounded by examples of faith. One received the prize, and He gave it to all that run behind Him.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9.24-27
The strength in how you run your race will be found in your preparation for it. Good trainers will help a runner deal with issues that can hinder their best race. Trainers will address aches and pains in smaller runs that will throw you out of the race in longer ones. They will train a runner how to recruit muscle fibers that will kick in to offset fatigue and burnout. They will vary your workout and look at your diet and other things that could sabotage your race.
Want to run a powerful and effective spiritual race? Look to our Trainer, Jesus: get rid of weights that will slow you down and hinder you, turn your weaknesses into strengths, watch what you are allowing into your life that will sabotage your face.
Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don’t become tired and give up. You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven’t killed you. Hebrews 12.1-4
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 1 Corinthians 9.25
…press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize. Philippians 3.13 So you can say to our Lord, with Paul:
You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! 2 Timothy 4.6-8
Reserves for the crash.
We will all face losses, disappointments, deaths, and sorrows in our lives. We need to do what race car engineers do anticipating the crash: fortify ourselves to be sure that when the crash comes we are able to walk away without harm or injury. This needs to be done before the crash.
The way race car engineers make cars crashworthy are:
- Minimize crush to maintain survival space
- Provide proper restraint throughout the entire accident event
- Prevent ejection from the vehicle and nominal seating positions
- Distribute energy and dissipate crash forces
- Prevent post-crash fires[v]
The way we can prepare for crashworthiness is to fix eternity firmly in our minds. So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 1 Peter 1.13
How could Paul confidently say Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Rom 8.35)? He said, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded [beyond doubt!] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.! (Romans 8.37-39)
Paul knew that For [him] to live was Christ and to die was gain. (Phil 1.21). For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17-18
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. …that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:1, 4-8
Paul KNEW the end of the story: he could go through his life and even his death when condemned by Nero. He knew the timeline for his life did NOT end… we have too limited an idea of time… and God knows we need to change that: we need to fix our eyes on eternity!
Peter KNEW the end of the story too! He didn’t at first! He denied Christ — three times… but something happened when Paul had the revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God… He was able to tell the Corinthians to cast down thoughts and imaginations that stop them from knowing God and bring every thought into knowing Christ (2 Cor 10.4-5). How do you know Christ? Paul said that his determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Phil 3.10-11 Knowing the end of the story not only equipped Peter to live for his faith, but to be crucified for his faith.
We know the end of the story just like Paul and Peter did! When I go see a suspenseful movie, I can’t usually watch unless I look up the end of the movie first. I have to know what happens or I get too intense! Knowing the end of the story may not take away the sadness, or the losses, in your lives, but it should take away any hopelessness, despair, or futility. We know the end of the story! If it’s not good, it’s not the end of the story!
What about when you don’t get healed, when you don’t understand why things happen the way they do? It is SO important to know Christ and walk with Him: The more you know Him, really know Him, the more you will be able to trust Him in the few areas you DON’T understand.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy],… Ecc 3.11 Don’t root what God has planted in our heart out — keep the end, keep eternity, firmly established in your hearts and minds!
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23.8-10
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth… Job 19.25
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. Hab 3.17-19
Do you have eternity fixed in your mind? Do you redeem the time: trade your minutes, days, hours, activities and focus from things that will not matter in the end to something that will matter to yourself and others for eternity? What an incredible opportunity we have to trade something so temporal for something that will stand the test of time and make a difference for eternity in the lives of those we touch.
BEFORE the battle. BEFORE the test. BEFORE the race. BEFORE the crash.
When are your battles won? When is the test aced? When is the race won? When is a car’s crashworthiness proven?
BEFORE the battle. BEFORE the test. BEFORE the race. BEFORE the crash.
Like a good general, like a good teacher, like a good trainer and just as a skilled mechanic would do, equipped with omniscience and omnipresence, the Lord wants to put in you what He knows will get you ready to get through challenges as more than a conqueror.
When you are faithful in what you are doing, when you are solid, rooted and grounded when the test comes, when troubles break loose you will have the foundation that will enable you to get through victoriously.
So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose
like the Jordan in flood? Jeremiah 12.5
David got ready for his biggest battle by protecting animals in the field; Joseph got ready in how he responded to the pit, being falsely accused and during his jail sentence; Moses prepared by leaving a highly respected position to dwell in the wilderness; Joshua prepared by serving Moses; Noah prepared by building an ark against popular opinion. These normal men prepared by knowing God, hearing Him, and obeying Him. …without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11.6)
- He expects progression.
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2.13
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4.34
…God’s people have a solid foundation. These words are engraved on it: ‘The Lord knows those who belong to him,’ and ‘Whoever worships the Lord must give up doing wrong.’ 2 Timothy 2.19
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (2556. κακός kakos, kak-os´; apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas 4190 properly refers to effects), i.e. (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious: — bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked.) Hebrews 5.12-14
Milk. If you feed a newborn meat, he could choke or die! Problem in the Church is we cram the meat of doing the will of God and finishing His work down newborns’ mouths and they are still carnal and can’t do the will of God or even discern it yet!
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:… 1 Peter 2.2
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Hebrews 5.13
I often wonder if we had a Scope and Sequence or Growth Chart to measure spiritual growth as we do to measure learning and physical development. It would probably shock us to find so many people that should have developed into digesting meat — which is doing the will of God — are still in need of drinking the milk of the Word in order to grow… We might see many who should be spiritual “adults” still drinking baby bottles!
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5.14 The Message puts it this way: solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Corinthians 3.1-3
- He has something to say.
Open my ear to hear as the learned. He wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]. Isaiah 50.4b
His wisdom is higher than our wisdom. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55.8-9
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me… John 10.17
So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10.17
For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4.12
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55.11
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:… Matthew 7.24
And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30.21
- He will give you the tools; but you need to avail yourself of them.
And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Exodus 20.19-21
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1.25
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11.28
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 2 John 6
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14.15
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15.14
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;… 2 Corinthians 10.5
Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always. Deuteronomy 11.1
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:… Exodus 19.5
- Be ready!
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24.44
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12.40
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:… 1 Peter 5.8
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7.24-27
But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come. Matthew 25.10-13
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Endnotes
[i] I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16.33
Then [at Mount Sinai] His voice shook the earth, but now He has given a promise: Yet once more I will shake and make tremble not only the earth but also the [starry] heavens. Now this expression, Yet once more, indicates the final removal and transformation of all [that can be] shaken—that is, of that which has been created—in order that what cannot be shaken may remain and continue. Hebrews 12.26-27
[ii] You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. Is. 26.3
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. Is. 55.8
And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). Matt. 22.37
But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh]. O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death? O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Rom. 7.23-25
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. Rom. 8.6-7
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Rom. 12.2
Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind. Eph. 2.3
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],… Eph. 4.23
Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Phil. 2.2
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Phil. 2.5
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, thatatranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Phil. 4.6-8
And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities,… Col. 1.21
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Col. 3:2
But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 1 Cor. 2:14
For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. 1 Cor. 2:16
In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away. 2 Cor. 3.14
For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God. 2 Cor. 4.4
I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers]. For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),… 2 Cor. 10.2-5
But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Cor. 11.3
So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 1 Pet. 1.13
[iii] Jon Bloom
[iv] 2 Peter 3.15-16
[v] https://www.robsonforensic.com/articles/vehicle-safety-expert-introduction-to-crashworthiness/