Renew Your Mind And Sing

"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD." Psalm 104:33-34

When life seems empty, and nothing positive comes to mind, let the praise of the living God become your song. What is this praise? Psalm 105:1 teaches us: "Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name," and Psalm 105:3 adds, "Glory ye in his holy name." But this is more than simple gratitude. Psalm 103:3-5 reminds us of a deeper work: "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies."

The living God's "praise" is not an act of worship; it is the very essence of the living God’s "name" – a benevolent character that offers healing, restoration, and renewal. Yet, we must understand that this "name" is not a physical attribute, as its nature transcends the material world: "God is a Spirit" (John 4:24), and "a spirit hath not flesh and bones" (Luke 24:39). What we are given by the living God, therefore, is spiritual – intended for the mind, not the flesh, reminding us that "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). The renewing of our mind, as Paul counsels, is central to understanding this, because the saying, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:23), reveals that our transformation starts within.

This praise is not about religious observance but rather about living in alignment with the Bible’s spiritual wisdom. In the Bible, this "name" is often synonymous with a "faith" or understanding, as it says, "Thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith" (Revelation 2:3). To praise the living God’s name is to embrace that “name’s” will and wisdom in our personal and devotional life, moving beyond ritual to inward renewal.

In this freedom, our minds are opened to the true "praise" of God – not merely in words, but in a complete transformation of our inner self. As we allow the Bible’s words to dwell richly within us, the devotional experience becomes a reflection of its grace and wisdom. This is the essence of true worship – not really in literal song, but in the very fabric of our being, which is why it says, “The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).

To sing that “praise,” then, is not an external act but an internal state of being. It is a heart and mind united in the Bible’s truth and wisdom, continually renewing and transforming. Each day is an opportunity for us to learn more about ourselves and the Bible’s will, and through this knowledge, to better serve and edify those around us. The living God's praise is a process of self-discovery, and through this process, we discover our purpose – to love, to serve, and to grow.

Even when life feels negative, we must remember that all things are working to recover and restore our mind and heart, introducing us to a higher understanding of ourselves and our world. The Bible desires to cleanse our devotional conscience, freeing us from the burdens we have inherited or cultivated ourselves. This is not just for our own well-being but for the benefit of those around us: "The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart" (1 Timothy 1:5).

So, let every day be a celebration of this renewal – a chance to think differently, to feel more deeply, and to live more fully. Let our hearts sing not with an audible tune, but with the quiet confidence of knowing that we are being transformed by the living God's fact. Each breath we take is a testament to this faith in us, and in return, we should strive to live up to that understanding, seeking the living God’s “name” and praising it through our thoughts, words, and actions.

In this way, we become part of the greater song – a symphony of renewal, hope, and wisdom that carries us, and those we love, ever closer to the living God’s heart.

How The Bible Reveals a Revolution of Personal Devotional Transformation

When reflecting on the stories of Moses and the Exodus, Samson and the two pillars, Gideon’s war against Baal, Abraham’s journey, and Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt, what stands out? These narratives represent more than just historical events—they signal a revolution and resurrection of devotional thought. They challenge us to consider a deeper devotional revival.

At the heart of the Bible is the concept of an inward resurrection, a transformation of our devotional conversation’s inner being. King David, recognizing this profound truth, wrote in Psalm 51:6, “Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” The core message of the Bible is a resurrection driven by wisdom and knowledge. As 1 Samuel 2:3 declares, “The LORD is a God of knowledge,” and Proverbs 2:6 reminds us that “out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

The Bible’s wisdom is the fuel for inner revival. The Bible is not ultimately a collection of stories, but rather a message with a call to revive and reshape our devotional thoughts and feelings. Proverbs 1:23 affirms, “I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” From Genesis to Malachi, the focus remains on this inward transformation of the mind through the Bible’s wisdom.

However, when we transition to the New Testament, the language and philosophy shifts, influenced by the dominant Greek culture and religious thought. Despite this shift, the original message remains hidden beneath the surface. Luke 17:21, for instance, tells us, “The kingdom of God is within you,” echoing Ruth 2:4, “The LORD be with you.” These two verses are not different in meaning but convey the same core message. The “kingdom of God” isn’t a new concept. To the Greek it was called the “doctrine of the kingdom,” but to the Hebrew it was called the “science of the LORD.”

Here’s the fascinating part: the Bible plays with these terms to keep its message accessible yet profound. “The LORD” and “the kingdom” are essentially one and the same—they represent the experience of the Bible’s words within our devotional character. Yet, because of religious tradition and theological interpretations, we often fail to see this continuity.

This philosophical expression is captured in the word “Immanuel,” meaning “God is with us,” or more directly, “within us is God” (Isaiah 8:10). Understanding this helps us reclaim the Bible’s original intention—a focus on the inward, personal devotional experience, untainted by external religious structures.

So why is it essential to grasp that the “kingdom of God” predated the New Testament? Because as we move through the Bible, especially into the Greek-influenced gospels, we encounter distortions of the original Hebrew philosophy. If we aren’t rooted in the wisdom of the Old Testament, we risk misunderstanding the message. As Isaiah 45:21 says, “There is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”

The Greek-influenced reinterpretation of the Bible’s message led to a distortion of the original Hebrew philosophy, especially regarding the nature of God. This shift wasn’t just a religious one but a philosophical one, altering how people understood their relationship with the scriptures. Even though the landscape of religious interpretation has changed over time, the original intent remains intact and waiting to be rediscovered.

This shift in biblical interpretation mirrors what happens in secular history: those in power shape the narrative. In the same way, the Bible’s original philosophy has been overshadowed by religious and political agendas. Understanding this is vital if we are to reclaim the Bible’s true devotional experience and engage with it in a way that transforms our personal and devotional character.

The Bible calls for more than belief—it calls for a revolution of the heart and mind, a resurrection of our inner dialogue with the Bible. By returning to its original message, we open ourselves to a wisdom that revives, restores, and reshapes our lives.

Born For A Purpose: Define Your Legacy

We are all born with a unique purpose, a reason that we often can’t see until we dare to take the risks necessary to discover it. Life may seem as though it's laid out on a predetermined path, with every twist and turn scripted in advance. But at some point, each of us will face a pivotal moment—a defining trial that shapes our legacy. How we navigate these moments, no matter how daunting or uncomfortable, is entirely up to us.

The story of the Hebrew midwives in ancient Egypt beautifully illustrates this point. The narrative goes:

"The king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives...and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive...Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses." — Exodus 1:15-21

Who would have thought that these humble midwives, often overlooked in their day, would have their courage remembered for generations? Charged with a harrowing command to kill every male newborn of the Hebrew women, they instead chose to follow their faith and defy the king’s orders, risking their lives and livelihoods in the process. Their decision to honor their spiritual convictions over the demands of earthly power not only solidified their legacy, but also ensured their rewarded to have families of their own.

These midwives had one primary role: to assist in the birth of others. But their legacy became so much more than mere attendants to new life; it became a testament to the power of conscience and the courage to act against injustice. Their actions remind us that our reality isn’t confined to what we see or the roles we’re given. We are called to do more than merely observe life—we are called to shape how life is both understood and expressed in the world.

We are not given the gift of our belief to remain passive onlookers, watching others take the stage in life’s grand drama. Instead, we have a responsibility to nurture our inner selves, to grow and refine our understanding, and to share a piece of our self this with others. Each of us carries a unique essence, a personal fragrance that resonates with others who share a similar spirit. It is our duty to cultivate this essence, not to hoard it, but to let it blossom and spread as a blessing to the world.

Though the world may be stubborn and deeply entrenched in its ways, our purpose might not be to change it outright but to ignite a spark—one that lights the way for others to reconsider their own paths. We cannot contribute meaningfully to the world if we simply uphold traditions or systems that we know are flawed. True impact comes from courageously stepping into our knowledge, growing it, and letting it guide us to new, uncharted territories.

So, the question we must ask ourselves is this: Will we continue to play the supporting role, assisting in the birth of others’ dreams, or will we muster the courage to nurture our own? Will we dare to bring forth a legacy that stands in defiance of the conventional and speaks to a higher truth?

Looking to the example of the Hebrew midwives, we should understand that the greatest reward awaits those who are bold enough to align their actions with acquired wisdom. Their legacy teaches us that true courage is not just about defying earthly authority but about staying true to the philosophical convictions that guide our conscience. For those who dare to act in harmony with this higher calling, the path may not be easy, but the reward—a life of meaningful impact and enduring legacy—makes every risk worthwhile.

Ultimately, we are all called to do more than simply exist. We are here to challenge, to question, to grow, and to uplift. We are here to leave a mark, not just in the stories of others, but in the very fabric of our shared human experience.