Part III  :  How Do I Gird Up?

I Peter 1:13  “Wherefore gird up the loins of the mind; be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

In the past days, we have discussed preparation for life’s challenges and unexpected circumstances.  Remember to wrap up, tighten up, and equip up in order to be ready for action and movement.  To recap, we talked about the areas that you must prepare in:

1. Prepare for walking
2. Prepare for worship
3. Prepare for warfare
4. Prepare for work

Now that you are in “preparation” mode it is now time focus on how to gird up.  In order to gird up properly you must do the following:

• Introduce your mind to rejuvenation – Romans 12:2 – “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.”
  • Transformation of the mind begins with a change of view point.  Shifting your mind from one of your old ways to a new way of thinking is the start of new beginning.  In verse 1, transformation starts when I present myself as a living and acceptable sacrifice unto God.
  • Turning from a “world” mindset to that of a spiritual mindset will move you from a mental place of self satisfaction and self gratification to a mindset of Christ as we discussed previously.
• Improve your spiritual intellect – Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
  • We read magazines and books for entertainment and enjoyment but in order to build your spiritual intellect you must deposit spiritual things into your mind.  Reading advice from social media outlets, emails, etc can often times bring bad emotions into fruition.  Counteract this world mindset by reading the Word of God.
  • Devote time each day to read the Word of God.  Do not just simply skim through the scripture but truly read it.  Believe it or not, the Bible is a never-ending love story between Creator and Creature.  The love was broken because of the disobedience of the Creature and the Creator sacrifices all to renew the relationship.
• Infringe in a new love relationship – Matthew 22:37-39 -“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
  • Sometimes all you need is a new love interest.  We have devoted our love to the world and its standards and where has it gotten us? Nowhere.  It is time for a change in partners.
  • Develop a relationship with God by getting to know Him.  The best source for hot gossip on God is the Word of God.  Everything that you need to know about God is in the Word.  Read and study about how much he loves and cares for you.
  • Building this relationship with God will open up opportunities for you to develop love for your fellow brothers and sisters in this world and to develop a new love for yourself.

Take the time to think about how you can gird up the loins of your mind by introducing your mind to rejuvenation, improving your spiritual intellect, and by infringing in a new love relationship.

Write in your daily journal of your struggles to complete these steps and a prayer for each one to God for guidance and strength.

Lord thank you for loving me, even when I didn’t love myself.  Lord, help me to rejuvenate my mind through your Word. Guide me through your Word and give me full understanding of what I am reading and studying.  Improve my spiritual intellect, Lord, so that I may desire to know more about you and to have a relationship with you.  Oh, God, I thank you in advance for your Word and for the transformation of my mind that will take place.