And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I have a few questions to ask you. Is your heart fixed this morning? Is your mind made up? Are you all filled up with the Spirit of God — living and active in you? Are you sold out? Just a few questions to ponder as we go through our morning prayer.

On behalf of our pastor, we welcome you to 6 AM prayer this morning. In keeping with Pastor’s theme, “The Power of a Made-Up Mind,” I entitled this morning’s message: Lord, give me a mind — a made-up mind.

Our focus scripture is Romans 12:2. “And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind — meaning focusing on godly values — that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Please note: the renewing of the mind is an ongoing process. It is not — I repeat — it is not not a one-and-done action.

After hearing Pastor’s message, “The Power of a Made-Up Mind,” I stopped at the store on my way home on Sunday and ran into one of our former pastors, Pastor Hazard. As we reminisced, he was telling me how grateful he was that the Lord has kept his mind. Then he mentioned my father — how often he prayed, “Lord, give me a mind.” Pastor Hazard said he used to wonder why my father prayed that prayer over and over again. I agreed, because my father prayed it not only in 6 AM prayer, but also in our home during family prayer. Not only that — when he prayed for each of his daughters, he prayed, “Lord, give them a mind.” My father understood that renewing the mind was a daily process. Pastor Hazard and I both agreed that now, we ourselves pray it daily: Lord, give me a mind — a made-up mind.

Over the years, as I have matured in my relationship with Christ, I have come to comprehend that it really does take a made-up mind to continue on this Christian journey. Nevertheless, while we have a made-up mind, we must anticipate the attack of the enemy. Having a made-up mind does not exempt us from his attacks. He still comes to steal, kill, and destroy.

Our pastor admonished us to anticipate his attacks. By God’s grace, my heart is fixed and my mind is made up. By His grace, there are no vacancies — I am all filled up. Yet still, I must pray, “Lord, give me a mind.” I must pray consistently. I must still anticipate the attacks of the enemy. I must still resist the devil, who is determined to defeat me.

If your heart is not fixed… if your mind is not made up… if there are vacancies in your spiritual life and you are not filled up with Christ’s Spirit and the things concerning Him, hen perhaps you are living a life of defeat. Perhaps the enemy is having his way in your mind. After all, it is said that the mind is the devil’s playground — and 99% of our battles begin in the mind. We must have a made-up mind. This is not an option. It is necessary if we will go all the way with the Lord.

Consider the Apostle Paul. After his conversion, he lived with one purpose — to preach the gospel and focus on his God-given duties. Yet Paul speaks of the conflict of two natures. He said that with the mind he serves the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Paul said “For what I am doing, I do not understand. What I will to do — that I do not practice. But what I hate — that I do.” He said, “I delight in the law of God according to the inward man, but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind.”

Then he cried, “O wretched man that I am — who will deliver me from this body of death?” He concludes, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans chapter 8 paraphrased]

There is power in a made-up mind.

Jesus is our perfect example. He disrobed Himself of heaven’s best. He put on flesh and came to die for the sins of the world. His heart was fixed. His mind was made up. He finished the work the Father gave Him to do. Yet He was also attacked by Satan — who tried to get Him to abort His mission. Thank God He did not give in to the temptation. He defeated Satan with the Word. And we are to have the same mind.

Philippians 2:5 — Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

1. We pray. We ask God to keep our minds stayed on Him. Isaiah 26:3 says He will keep us in perfect peace if our minds are stayed on Him.

2. We anticipate attacks. We must have a plan to counter Satan’s strategies. Jesus fought with the Word. So can we.

3. We resist temptation. A made-up mind gives us the power to say no — to resist temptation — to avoid falling prey to the enemy’s lures. Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself. The prodigal son said, “I will arise and go back to my father.”

If you have not yet declared it — let today be the day you say, “My mind is made up — and I’m going with the Lord all the way.”

In conclusion, I share a poem by Jennifer Kane entitled The Power of a Made-Up Mind.

All means all. My relationship with God is not a state. He is the start of all and the end of all. All heart, all soul, all mind. We are called to the ministry of reconciliation. Though Satan schemes to steal, kill, and destroy, God’s plan is to give life — to protect, restore, and build up. Where Satan brings destruction, God brings restoration, peace, joy, and eternal hope. Living in alignment with His will unfolds a life of purpose and blessing — both now and forever. Choose your destiny and hold fast. The favor of God will lift you to the highest heights, while Satan’s devices drag to the lowest depths. I pray He transforms your heart, your soul, your mind — so you may witness, in every corner of your being, the power of a made-up mind. Lord, give me a made-up mind. Lord, give us a made-up mind.

Father, we thank You. We thank You for Your Word which encourages us and instructs us. Help us to keep our minds stayed on You. You are the same God who helped Daniel — and the same God we serve today. Thank You for the Holy Spirit at work in us to do Your will and good pleasure. Help us to have a made-up mind — to go all the way with You. Help us draw the line whenever challenges arise, knowing we can call upon You. Your Word says You are a present help in time of trouble. Show us the way of escape with every temptation.

Help us be firm in our resolve. Strengthen us to stand. And thank You in advance for hearing the cry of Your people and moving on their behalf. In Jesus’ name, with thanksgiving — Amen. Amen. Amen.