Ep 58 Morning Mind, Ro 7:24-8:17

My body has a mind of its own. And it's not a happy mind. It worries; it fears; it grows angry; it looks for comfort in all the wrong places. It replays unpleasant memories over and over again. It fixates on whatever's negative, and I can find myself getting upset before I even recognize what's happening to me. I don't try to think these thoughts; they're effortless. They just come. I don't want to think these thoughts, but they keep right on flowing through my brain. When I realize what's happening, I usually try to stop, but my attempts only bring a momentary halt, and as soon as I relax, there it is again. And if this goes on long enough, it wears me out physically, emotionally and spiritually. My sleep becomes disrupted. My patience grows thin. I become discouraged. The future looks dark. Paul's so right when he says this type of thinking led to "death" (Ro 8:6). But Paul also assures us that we don't have to remain trapped by this kind of thinking. He says when we are born again, God gives us access to an entirely new way of thinking, but it's not automatic. It's a resource we must choose to draw upon day after day, situation by situation, and far too many of us have no idea how to live in this new dimension. We go on thinking and responding just like everybody else... so our lives look just like the lives of everybody else. We love God, but our flesh still controls us. Today we'll let Paul show us how to live like who we really are: children of God. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's book Understanding Romans, email us at [email protected] and ask for your copy at no charge. The book has all the notes from each sermon in this series. Also check out our website for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge. And if you would like to receive a copy of Pastor Steve's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Genesis at no charge, we are giving out this book as well!