Romans 12:3c think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Yesterday I was remembering some of the things that I have done in the past. All I could think was “What a jerk!” Talking with my wife about it she reminded me that I am not that man today.

Back in the day, I didn’t see what I was doing was all that bad. My attitude was much different. If I were to try and reason out today why I was that way, I cannot tell you what I was thinking back then. The reason for that is because I have a new mind set, I do not think the way I did back then. I remember events but as to why they happened, that part escapes me.

Romans 12:2b be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind

So how did I achieve this new mind set, how did I obtain a new attitude?

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

I wore out my flesh.

God dealt me a measure of faith that drove me to do it, the goads and nails. It hasn’t always been pleasant but it was needful. The transformation to the new mind did not happen just by wishing and praying. I had to invest the time.

Do you have to do this also? I am NOT telling you this is what you have to do. As God has dealt you with whatever faith you have been given, be faithful to God.

All I am saying is this is how I got my renewed mind.

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

This is a true statement and worthy of our belief. Our problem is not in our confidence, our problem is in seeking His will. So often we pray about things we care about and assume that because we care about it, then it is within His will.

So often we pray without seeking His will because it is the easier thing to do. We rely on scriptures like the woman that hounded the unworthy judge and got her way and think that if we but hound our God we will get Him to bend His will to ours. It does work that way.

I do not say this to discourage anyone from praying. I would hope that a proper understanding might bring us all to a fervent effectual prayer life that is based on seeking God’s will first and then praying.

What is God’s will?

There are the basic wills which are centered on God’s character and commands. Those do not change. You know what they are because you have read the scriptures and understand His word. Then there are His personal wills. Those are centered in our personal relationship with God. Those are personal, no one else can know them or pray for them because only you can evoke the blessings based on your personal relationship with God.

What are they? I don’t know, it’s your relationship, you have to seek Him for yourself.

How much time do you spend seeking God’s will?