You ever notice how easy it is to pick up phrases and lingo from movies or pop culture? We sometimes assimilate them without even thinking, because it seems that “everyone” is saying or thinking that thing. This isn’t always necessarily evil, but have you ever stopped to think about the origin of those thought processes and language? Did they come from God?

Do you know that we’ve been called to a HIGHER way of thinking? That we are supposed to assimilate the thinking of Heaven, and our King, Jesus?

You may have heard the passage in Isaiah where God says,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

You know, that declaration isn’t simply to tell us, “hey, you can’t understand Me, don’t even try.” Isaiah 55 is actually the voice of the Lord saying “COME TO ME”… it’s an invitation to us! God is basically saying “Get on My Level!” Calling us on and up, to KNOW His thoughts and His ways… to encounter and experience them for ourselves!  :).

Our reading in Ephesians echoes the same thoughts in chapter 4:21-24:

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.

However, here in the New Testament, as we have been given the indwelling Spirit, we  are encouraged to be forceful about taking hold of the thoughts, ways, and nature of God found in Jesus… and to THROW OFF all of the other stuff!

Not only are we invited to get to know His thoughts and ways — which is AWESOME! — we are exhorted to experience His thoughts and ways, and LIVE like Jesus. To take on our NEW nature, where WE think the thoughts of God and learn to ACT just like Him! What an awesome calling!

A victorious Church emerges in these last days, as you and I individually arise in His nature, learning to think Heaven’s thoughts and take on Jesus’ actions in real-time, every day.

What is Jesus thinking about your situation today? What is He doing in the lives of those around you? Choose to agree with His thoughts. Throw off everything else! And, ask Him to show you can partner with what He is doing and BE Jesus in your world.

I would love to hear what thoughts God is sharing with YOU! Feel free to drop them in the comments!