A mind stayed on JESUS

How do you keep your mind stayed on Jesus? Here in this post, I will tell you four ways to keep your mind on Jesus. As a millennial, I am faced with the reality of all that's going on in my generation. Twitter is filled with exposed women, sex, profanity, and just more reason not to keep our minds on God. Instagram can be a place where friends and families compare themselves and their lives. So, how do we actually keep our minds focused on him?

I will be asking you two questions. I ask questions because it causes you to self discover the answers for yourself before I give the ones that have worked best for me.

Answer these . . .

1. Are your friends talking to Jesus at all?

2. How often do you pray?

These questions I proposed because I noticed we ask questions like how do I keep my mind stayed on him? BUT, our environments are toxic, they don't allow God in and our prayer life sucks. Let's be real in this generation if we won't keep our mind on him and we want to be able to consider him in our decisions. Our circles and prayer life matters.

My four points:

• Assessing your circle

• Praying

• Working in purpose

• Presenting Yourself Daily

Assessing your circle, I suggest from personal experience and reading the word. Assess your crowd, who's standing with you? Are these people who even know the Lord? Is this a forever crowd/circle or temporary and unintentional friends? Is anyone in your circle setting their eyes on things above rather than beneath? Are your friends thinking earthly mainly or do they ever take the time to think of heaven and the future? Without having a circle who can hold you to account on your thinking habits you will fail. Not, fail at life don't get me wrong. But, trying to keep your mind on "What would Jesus do" will be out the window. When we have our eyes on the lord he teaches us how to respond to everything. Not, some things but everything. Today, look at your circle, who draws you closer to the Lord, instead of further away? Who makes you consider the thoughts you have about yourself?

Pray. Are you praying daily? When we are praying consistently we create a conversation thread with the Lord. Remember he will talk back. This is not a one-sided conversation or relationship. It's the very fact that you speak with him every day that has your mind always on him. When you're in the store thinking about what to make for dinner, just silently ask. Lord, what do you think I should make. I assure you that adding him to things as small as a food decision will have you considering him in everything. Your mind will be on what he needs from you in every situation!

Work on your purpose. If your working on a job you hate. Around friends who don't support you. You're not in purpose. Have you ever wondered what it felt like to work inside a purpose? Psalms 138:8 says "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands."Living in purpose causes your hands to make what the Lord has instructed. Make sure you check what's being built by your hands! Keeping your mind on Jesus when your hands are focused on the purpose of your life will help your mind stay steady. If you're not in purpose your mind will be in unauthorized places. In places that cause you to stay distracted and delayed. Ultimately, living in purpose won't be stress-free but it will be weight free. Leaving you enough space to listen to what the lord is saying. You will be able to keep your mind on Him and living in your God-given purpose.

Present Yourself Daily. Romans 12:1 says "I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." We must present ourselves every day. In this context, I mean your actual self. Many refer to this scripture for your body and prayer. I am referring to this scripture by saying that we must literally present our BODY and MIND to him. Everyday present your mind to him asking him. Change and help me initially change my thoughts. Watch him change your desires and motives in your mind.

I'm sure you all can do all four of these things by bringing them into action. Here's a prayer you can pray to do this.

Prayer: Lord, I desire to keep my mind on you. When things are going crazy in my mind and my life, help me focus on you. Romans 8:5 says to submit my thoughts to you so today I submit these confused, fifthly, unstructured thoughts to you to help me focus them and prioritize these today oh lord. You understand my heart lord. Help me assess my friend circle. Clear my circle of people who do not help me think good thoughts. Cleanse my circle for those people who will encourage me to pursue all things in you. Lord, grab me to come into consistent conversation with you in prayer. Lord, lead me into a place of purpose. Allow my purpose to call me into a deeper relationship with you where I'm able to keep my mind on all things. Lastly lord I present my mind and my body to you daily. You may use me however you desire! My mind will stay on you. Amen!

Scriptures for the MIND

Romans 8:5-6

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.