I Have a Made Up Mind!



Country church photo by Debbie Reynolds (Not the movie star).

I go to a church that is in another town. Some may call it a country town because it is small and quaint. It has a population of under 300. On Sunday mornings we have in attendance at our church around 150-170 people. Even though the town may be small, God always shows up at our church in a big way!

Today my pastor spoke on having a made up mind in following Jesus. He spoke on how Paul was taken by Nero from Spain back to Rome just to be killed. At Paul’s last “trial” not one person showed up to speak on his behalf. After all he had done for so many, no one attended to help him. He speaks in 2 Timothy 4:16-18 about how he felt so alone, but was encouraged because he always had Jesus! Little did Paul know, but while imprisoned, he had written two-thirds of the New Testament inspired by the Holy Spirit! Paul did not know that his letters to the church and the God breathed scriptures that would become the Holy Bible itself would be quoted, preached from, prayed out, and stood upon for the next 2000 years! Even in Paul’s time of feeling so alone, he had a made up mind and knew Jesus was with him! Not until he got to Heaven did he know the impact he would have for God upon the church.

My pastor told the story of William and Catherine Booth. They are the founders of “The Salvation Army”. Each night they would go into the “red-light” district of town and minister to the prostitutes and drunkards that were there. Each night they would be mocked and ridiculed. They did not let that stop them! They made up their minds they would continue to go because God had called them to do it. One night a prostitute came to the Lord, then another and another. The drunkards began to listen and they came, little by little, wanting to hear the Gospel and accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior! On one particular night, a man stepped up to William Booth and spat in his face. The spittle went from the corner of his eye and rolled down to the top of his mustache. One of his “lieutenants” quickly stepped forward with his handkerchief to wipe it from his face. He stopped him and said, “Do not wipe off the medal of honor God has given me!” It is highly likely none of us have been spat upon or slapped for the sake of the Gospel. We have probably suffered some ridicule, but certainly not to the point of being beaten, nails being plunged into our hands and being hung on a cross! Thank God for the fortitude Jesus had to die for us and for the determination in Christ William Booth had to persevere.

Many Christians today derail over something like some small offense or imagined offense or an immature Christian’s childish behavior. Most of those times it is just before a victorious breakthrough in their lives. You see, the devil doesn’t come to discourage you for no reason. He comes so that you will get offended, hurt, or mad just before your promise is about to manifest so he can keep you from seeing it come to fruition. God knew when He called you and gave you the vision He set before you the hardships and battles you would face. He knew He could trust you with it or He would not have called you. God trusts us with what is precious to Him! That within itself is an honor!!

There is an old hymn that says, “I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus…No turning back, no turning back.” You have to make up your mind you are going forward with God no matter what! You have it settled and determined in your heart you won’t turn back.

I have a made up mind. I am going on with Jesus no matter what! I have found through my family, church family, blogging community, and my precious readers I am far from alone!! You are not alone, either! Even though the enemy may want us to think and feel we are, let us be like Paul and remember, we ALWAYS have Jesus! Have a made up mind nothing will stop you in your service or your love for others through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Blessings to you, my precious reader! I will see you next time!