Bite of Bread: New Thinking Patterns

Nothing changes if nothing changes . . . in the way we think.

In fact, did you know that the word “repent” actually means to “change one’s mind”? (Google Word Search).

We think of “repent” as falling on our knees and begging forgiveness, and in some contexts that is true, but even falling on our knees and begging (when it’s done so with a sincere heart) has to do with a different mind set–one that has realized prior actions were wrong.

This Sunday, May 15, was Christian Pentecost. It’s a day the Church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit. But did you know that the Jews celebrated Pentecost (Shavuot) long before Christians did, not for the giving of the Holy Spirit, but the gift of God’s teaching of how to live–the Ten Commandments? Shavuot is observed forty-nine days after Passover because Jewish tradition teaches that God gave Israel the Ten Commandments 49 days after the exodus from Egypt.

Jeremiah prophesied, “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” Jeremiah 31:33.  And God kept that promise. On the day they celebrated God’s laws (Pentecost), He sent the Holy Spirit who would put the law in their minds and write it on their hearts. 

That was an amazing day. People began evangelizing in foreign tongues so that all could hear the good news. And Peter preached a sermon that convinced 3000 people. The Bible tells us:

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:37,38).

Repent was translated from Metanoeo. This Greek word means, “to exercise the mind, think, comprehend. To repent, change the mind, relent.”

Isn’t that interesting?

[bctt tweet=”Nothing changes if nothing changes . . . in the way we think.” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

How do we change our thinking? We replace our “truth” with His. That is why the Bible is so important. It is the tangible voice of God. Granted, we must study it–dig into it, but when we do and it begins to go from our heads to our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, our way of thinking transforms from our old way to His eternal way. The way of life.

Grab your journal and jot down these verses. It’s going to be a great week of considering the way we think and how those thought patterns need to change. We will work on aligning them with His wisdom, His life. I feel a prayer coming on. This is important stuff. Let’s pray. Grab my hand:

“Holy Spirit, fill us! Align our thought patterns with yours. Guide us to the Truth in Your Word, and empower us to replace our stinkin’ thinkin’ with Your Words. Your Promises. Your Eternal Truth. Change our thought patterns. We love you. In the name of the Father, Son, Jesus, and Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.”

Amen!

I’ll be teaching on each “bite” every morning via Periscope at 8:20 ET. Hope you can join us!

Finding Purpose in The Word,

andy