THE RIGHT MIND
READ: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1 Peter 4:1
God planned this gospel a long time ago before the foundation of the world. You must also plan over a long period to do the will of God. Many people take emotional decisions about serving God. They may be in a church service and become emotionally charged up. After a while, these emotions die down and they feel that they made a mistake in saying, “Yes” to the call of God.
The preparation of the gospel involves planning over a long period. It does not involve having a short emotional hype that fizzles out after three weeks. It is time to plan over a long period that you will serve God.
1. Plan over a long period by believing in your childhood dreams and visions. Your childhood callings are part of the long-term planning that God is preparing you with (Jeeremiah 15-8).
2. Plan over a long period by having well thought through plans for ministry.
Preparing for the ministry involves arming yourself with the right mind. When you have thought through your sacrifice, you are more able to go through the pain and disadvantage that will come to you because of it.
You can prepare for your ministry by thinking carefully about all that God has called you to do. You must also think about what the ministry is going to mean for your family. What is it going to mean for your future? What is it going to mean for you financially? Will you be better off working somewhere else? Some people are actually better off in the ministry but do not think through the realities. People do not think through their plans. That is why they become bitter in the middle of the road. It is time to arm yourself by having the right mind.