Mindin’ Your Mind
Well now, Buttercup, if’n you have ever done stepped right out on one of those old Southern front porches at sunrise, you know, that there kind where the boards are ‘a-creakin’ like they’re ‘a-tryin’ to whisper some real juicy family secrets, then you’d be ‘a-knowin’ it’s the most perfect place for your mind to go ‘a-wanderin’ clean off like a rooster ‘a-chasin’ a grasshopper. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s Bible talk for don’t let your thoughts be ‘a-runnin’ ‘round like a lil’ ol’ goat that done found a hole in the fence. Let God’s Word do the renewin’, the shapin’, and the steadyin’, so your mind stays put where it belongs.
Psalm 17:4 says, “I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.” That there is the Bible’s way of ‘a-sayin’ if you don’t be ‘a-keepin’ your thoughts tied down real tight, they’ll jes’ be ‘a-scamperin’ off like a lil’ ol’ squirrel that done just spotted an unattended pecan pie. And once that there squirrel gets a lil’ taste, good luck ‘a-gettin’ it back ‘cause it ain’t ‘a-happenin’.
Back in Genesis 3:1, that there serpent slithered right up to Eve and asked, “Did God really say…?” One tiny lil’ ol’ question. One tiny lil’ ol’ poke. And suddenly Adam and Eve was ‘a-munchin’ on forbidden fruit like raccoons who done found the county fair funnel cake stand. The devil has been ‘a-meddlin’ with folks’ minds ever since, ‘a-sneakin’ ‘round like a real sly lil’ ol’ fox with a PhD in mischief an’ meanness.
Paul done warned us in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that our devotion can get real corrupted just like Eve’s. The devil done knows if he can be ‘a-gittin’ into your thoughts, he can be ‘a-stirrin’ up your past, ‘a-twistin’ your imagination, and have you ‘a-frettin’ over things that ain’t even done happened yet. But Paul also done said in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 that God’s mighty weapons knock down strongholds and capture them there rebellin’ thoughts, so we don’t have to be ‘a-lettin’ our minds be ‘a-runnin’ wild like a deer that done got skeerd at its own reflection.
Psalm 119:11 reminds us to be ‘a-hidin’ God’s Word in our hearts. Jesus used Scripture three times in Matthew 4:1-11, and the devil didn’t have no comeback. He done slunk off like a lil’ ol’ coyote who done realized that the chicken coop done had an alarm system on it. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to put on salvation as our helmet and take up the sword of the Spirit. When we be ‘a-knowin’ the Word, the enemy can’t be ‘a-gittin’ into our minds, no matter how much he done is ‘a-scratchin’ at the door like one o’ them there lil’ beavers ‘a-wantin’ to git lumber.
Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-keepin’ my mind fixed on You. Be ‘a-fillin’ my thoughts with Your truth so the enemy can’t be ‘a-sneakin’ in like a critter comin’ in after the feed bucket. Be ‘a-teachin’ me to use Your Word well and be ‘a-standin’ real strong. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now Buttercup, as you go to be ‘a-steppin’ off this here porch and right back on into your day, be ‘a-rememberin’ that your mind is real precious like that there last slice of cornbread on a serving plate at a revival supper. Don’t be ‘a-lettin’ the devil snatch it like a crow after a real shiny gum wrapper. Be ‘a-keepin’ God’s Word tucked real tight down deep in your heart, ‘a-swingin’ that there sword of truth, and ‘a-walkin’ real steady-like. Doggone it, friend, you’re so much stronger when you be ‘a-keepin’ your thoughts anchored real deep down in the Lord.
With joy,
Gwen
