Today's Passage - Romans 8:9

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 8:9 "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ."   If someone accepts the Spirit of Christ, he is no longer in the realm of the flesh. Instead, he is in the realm of Christ. So his mind shouldn't be governed by the flesh, but by the spirit. How can you get your mind governed by the Spirit? Colossians 3:10 says: "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Therefore, if we want our minds to be governed by the Spirit, we need to start with our minds, for you will live out what is on your mind. If your mind is filled with the plot of a TV show, you will certainly live like the character in that show. If your mind is filled with God's words, you will live out the life of Jesus Christ. How do you get renewing of the mind then?   First, watch out what TV program you watch, what music you listen to, and what newspaper and magazine you read. If you only read e-mail at work, watch TV after you get home, and listen to radio when you drive every day, your mind will be filled with the worldly things. How is it then possible for you to get renewing of mind? You need to check again your living environment to see if it is filled with God's will. For example, play more worship music when you drive, listen to and read more of God's words in your office as encouragement, and read more spiritual books and journals at home. Put yourself in a spiritual environment, then your mind will become spiritual naturally so as to live a spiritual life. Next, read more of God's words and spend some time keeping God's words in your heart. Psalm 119:11 says: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Once your mind is filled with God's words, it will be very easy for the Spirit to lead you and speak to you through God's words.   What ifsome bad thought just occurs to you? Martin Luther once said: "You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair." So don't let that thought stay in your mind, just rebuke it in the name of the Lord. Then it leave your mind. Brothers and sisters, how are your mind and life now? Ask God to cleanse you so that you can live like the Lord.                                 Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, may you test our mind, cleanse it and fill it with your words. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!