Welcome to part three of our series How do we, renew our minds and change how we think ?
Let’s recap on the last two parts of this series.
In part one we looked at what is happening in our minds. The things that lead us to think how we do and be who we are. Then in part two we looked at an invitation found in
Romans 12:2 (TPT)
Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
We looked at how when we give our lives to Jesus we become a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17). But is there one thing the Father did not change called our minds. As He values freewill so much, He leaves this as another gift for us to give to Him. That He has waiting in exchange for our minds, the mind of Christ.
If we choose to surrender our minds and allow His Spirit (Holy Spirit) to enter us. The Holy Spirit will inwardly transform us through a total reformation of how we think. Then He will empower us to discern God’s will as we live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Then we finished with a prayer asking the Father and the Holy Spirit to do this.
Today I would like to share on what to do next!
So often messages about radical life changes stop at the breakthrough. Without giving practical teaching application, of what to do afterwards. So today I hope through His leading to do this.
On Saturday I had the amazing privilege and honour to speak at an event in Hamilton New Zealand. I had put aside time to prepare for this event, seeking Him on what to speak about. Also how He would have me start and finish each session. Then I took time to slip away with the Father and simply spend time with Him. But I was totally not prepared for what would happen on the day.
As I was preparing to get up for the afternoon session, my message on my iPad completely disappeared. At the exact time the host of the event got up and introduced me. I could only think of three things I could do:
1. Tell the people about the message disappearing, then try and find my notes before starting the message.
2. Talk to the audience while trying to look for my notes before starting the message
3. Just close my iPad and ask the Father to show me what He is doing, then simply go with His leading.
Although the first two options would be totally acceptable in this situation, I felt to choose option 3.
I told the audience that my message had disappeared. So we were just going to wait on God and see what happens.
At that moment Jesus walked into the room and His presence fell on all the people! Some crying, others flat out on the floor and others motionless or shaking in their seats.
After about half an hour, an amazing man to the right of me who played the keyboard, suddenly awoke from his slumber. So I asked him if he could play for us.
Waves of God moved across the auditorium for the entire rest of my session. Then I walked up to the host, who was taking the next session and passed the mic over to her.
This only happened because I chose to put aside all the ideas and opinions of the culture around me in the room. Then I simply asked Him to show or reveal to me what He was doing. This allow Him to inwardly transform me by His Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how I think. So, I could then see and understand how He wanted me to proceed.
Consequently I chose to put everything aside, then follow Him and join in with what He was doing.
Which created an invitation for Him to enter the room, where He touched His people. This also created an invitation for those in the room to ask the Father personally, what He was doing. So they could also see and experience His glory at another level. People got healed, delivered, encouraged and equipped. The closest I can get to the experience is seen in
2 Chronicles 5:14 (NKJV)
the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.
I learnt that day the importance of asking Him what He is doing. To make the choice to put aside my thoughts, ideas and opinions. Not to allow anything to disturb the direction and my focus on Him. Lastly just to start walking with Him and His leading. Then invite all who were present to join me on the journey.
I believe this is our next step, once we have been given the mind of Christ.
Allowing us to be able to use it and function from it.
We first need to stop and wait on Him. Then ask Him to show us what He is doing. As we can only see, hear and discern what the Father is doing, when we do this first.
I believe this was Jesus’s number one key to His incredibly successful ministry, while on the earth. As we see this very thing, right throughout the Gospels, which upset some and confused others. But this did not phase Jesus, He simply trusted that the Father knew what He was doing.. Then at the right time when the Father moved through His Spirit. Jesus would speak His words or pass on His directions. Then the miracle would happen. Jesus took this one step further, He actually became one with the Father. As seen in the following scripture.
John 14:10
Don’t you believe that the father is living in me and that I am living in the Father? Even my words are not my own but come from my father, for he lives in me and performs his miracles of power through me.
He continually saw through the Father’s eyes and was empowered by His Spirit (The Holy Spirit).
This is what we will be looking at in our next part of this series.
Challenge Time
1. Your challenge this week is to stop and wait on God, just for a moment. Before you enter any place and situation you are about to walk into. (ie shops, businesses, school, workplace, home and even church)
2. In this moment lean into Him, then ask Him to show you what He is doing ?
3. Then ask Him what does He want you to do when you enter the place or situation
4. Posture your heart to receive what He wants to give to you, to be released in this place or situation.
5. Now ask Him what He wants you to do with what He has given you.
5 Then enter the place or situation and do what He said to do. Place or release what He has given you how or where He said to.
6 Give Him thanks, as you leave.
7 Then every night give Him Thanks for all He entrusted you with during the day.
Father I thank you in advance for all the special assignments, miracles, wisdom and revelation. You are going to entrust your children with this week. I thank you for the mighty move of your spirit, that will go with them. To accomplish your plans and your will, in all these places and situations they will face. We give You all the Glory amen.
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries