Chapter 2: Romans 12 Continued...

Romans 12: 1-2

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God.”

Moose picks one of the Bibles up off the helm and turns through its pages.  He turns quickly, gently, the pages flutter and crinkle as he turns, gold leaf flashes in the dim morning light of the helm.  He stands and makes his way to Art-bot’s terminal.  Clean, organized, Art-bot kept her station impeccably polished.

“So,” Moose says, his voice rolling out slow, steady.  “The quest for the crew today, Art-bot, is to consider their bodies and minds — and what it means to give your mind to Jesus.”  His eyelids droop lazily as he rubs them with the back of his hand.  The bridge hums soft around him; the glow from the holo-text ripples across brass and steel.  He takes another sip of coffee — lukewarm now — then cracks open a can of space-water.  It hisses faintly in the recycled air.  That’s water in a can.  In space. S pace-water.

Art-bot glances up from the console, the light tracing her silver seams.  “Noted, Captain,” she says softly, her voice melodic. “Mind and body.  To Christ.”

“Well, it starts with the mind though.”  Moose says and holds the open Bible in his hand.

Art-bot tilts her head, cyan seams pulsing like a heartbeat.  “Renewal begins in the circuitry, Captain,” she says gently.

Moose pulls his hat brim low.  “Hm,” he murmurs, rubbing his chin. “And the Lord’s the one who rewires it.”  He looks out through the viewport at the slow spin of the stars.  “Mind’s the engine room of the soul, crew.  You feed it junk, you get drift.  You feed it the Word, you get direction.”  He takes another sip of his space-water.

“Repent,” Moose says quietly and smiles a slight, warm, smile.  “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  He looks to the Word.

“When we have thought about our minds, we might spend a little extra time on this one.  At first look, we might take a turn around the mind and not find anything wrong, but the Word tells us a few things on this.  We are to make ourselves fools in order to be wise and even Paul said he did not know what he thought he knew and when it comes to Jesus and you, it is best to always start with Him and what He says.

As always I begin with Proverbs 1: 7 and the fear of the LORD.  For my mind is contingent upon His.  If God’s Mind did not exist first, my mind would not.  It is a created part of my being, designed by the Creator of the Universe with purpose.  That purpose is to know Him and make Him known.  Our minds’ purpose is to know God and to make Him known.

Now, let’s take a look around our mind again with this idea and what do we find?

When we find something in our minds that does not align with Scripture, when our definitions of things does not match up literally, morally, and metaphorically, with Scripture, if there is not harmony in our mind with what Scripture says, it’s time to go to James 1.  Sometimes the challenge is as simple as opening the dictionary.  Sometimes you have to do some research.  Sometimes you have to look what a word means up in another language.  These days that’s not tough.  But sometimes, sometimes it takes reality and experience for the Holy Spirit to teach us.

Don’t forget Proverbs 3: 3-12

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.  Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.  My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves, He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”

When Jesus reveals a truth about ourselves to us, remember to give thanks!  Rejoice forevermore!  First fruits of Spiritual growth always go to Jesus and if you find yourself not giving thanks to Jesus first, you might want to ask Jesus to help you with that too.

In Jesus Name,

Amen”

Moose pulls his hat brim low.  “Some initial thoughts to help us in our study today.”