thoughts by Mika B. Edwards Archives - Daily Thoughts about God

Published October 5, 2021

Changing My Mind

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians that we need to change our minds when our thoughts do not align with the truth. The process to change one thought is to replace the lie with truth.

Do you remember the last time you changed your mind? Maybe it was changing your outfit a couple of times this morning being indecisive on what to wear. Maybe it was changing your mind on your entree choice just after the waitress took your order. Maybe it was changing your mind on the perfect birthday or Christmas gift for a dear friend. Changing your mind over clothes, food, and gifts are not life changing but there is a circumstance when to change your mind is powerful.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Paul was saying we need to change our minds when our thoughts do not align with the truth. There are times when a lie from the enemy spins in our mind and the thought patterns wage war within us to keep us from living in the victory of Christ and His resurrection. As believers we have the power through Christ to change our minds! The process to change one thought is to replace the lie with truth.

Change your mind from the thought of defeat to “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Change your mind from the thought of no value to “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14).

Change your mind from fear and failure to “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me” (Romans 8:11).

Change your mind from pity to “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

Next time you change your coffee order be reminded of how quick that change happened. Changing your mind to the truth of Christ will allow you to live in the freedom He so freely gives.

By Mika Edwards
Used by Permission

Granddaddy – Sharing Jesus

My granddaddy was a bi-vocational pastor. He pastored small churches around Stanley and Union County while also running a little shop behind his house. He would fix tires, golf carts, and tractors. I spent many of my teen and early adult years working in the office of the shop. The smells, sounds, and images are still vibrant in my mind and heart. My granddaddy worked in two worlds, the church and the shop, but to him they were not mutually exclusive. I could never quantify the number of conversations I heard where he was sharing the gospel with someone or a member of the community would walk in for advice or counsel. Regardless of whether the person was a stranger or a neighbor, one specific question my granddaddy always asked was, “Are you right with God?”. This was not a matter of church attendance, baptism record, or sword drill stars, it was simply are you in a right relationship with the Lord.

My granddaddy, like the prophet Joel, understood the truth of eternity and that tomorrow is never promised. Joel, the minor prophet, had a theme in his message to humanity – the day of the Lord! Joel knew the truth that there was a day the Lord would come to this earth as the sacrificing servant and return again as the conquering king.

“Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near”
Joel 1:14b-15a, (ESV).

As much as I remember so much about the life I saw my granddaddy live for the Kingdom of God, there is one thing I don’t remember. I don’t remember how each person who was asked that question responded. I am sure many responded affirmingly of their love for the Lord and joy in relationship with Him. Likewise, I would suppose others responded with reluctance or even refusal.

Today I want to remember the commission to encourage everyone I meet to experience a right relationship with the Lord should never be thwarted by their response. Why? Because there are many who need Jesus and the day of the Lord is near!

“Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision” Joel 3:14.

By Mika Edwards
Used by Permission

The Lord Goes Before Us

It was the end of a long day. The team of 46 students and chaperones had arrived safely in Costa Rica for a week long mission trip. I had not really slept the night before, as one can relate to the night before a big adventure and I had counted to 46 more times than imaginable as every teacher could understand. But there we were, safe and sound in our matching bright yellow t-shirts armed with our Bibles and markers. Markers? Yes, we were finishing the day with a prayer and devotion and I had given everyone a marker. I asked the students before our prayer time to sign each other’s shirts. In just a few minutes the shoulders, back, and sleeves of the yellow shirts were covered with the signatures of each team member. Those signatures were designed to serve as a reminder that throughout the week we were one team with one purpose in sharing the love of Christ. Signing the shirt signified that no matter what, we had each other’s backs!

I ran across a picture of this team recently in those bright yellow signature covered shirts and was reminded of all the Lord did on that trip. I am all the more reminded of how many times not only do I feel supported by the brothers and sisters I have in Christ who surround me on a daily basis, but that the God of the Universe, my Lord and Savior watches over me. Isaiah the prophet spoke of this truth when speaking to the Hebrew people on their commission when they were released from captivity.

“For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” Isaiah 52:12,( ESV).

As members of the body of Christ may we write our names on each other’s bright yellow t-shirts as a commitment to support each other as we pursue kingdom work. All the while knowing our loving and gracious Lord goes before us and is truly our rear guard.

By Mika B Edwards
Used by Permission