Is it OK to always believe I'm right, and yet change my mind so often?

I have always believed I was right, no matter what position I held. And I notice other people hold the same opinion of themselves. They believe they are right, even when they disagree with me. Hm!
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So is this good, necessary, and right to live out what you believe to be right, even though you acknowledge that you have only limited insight and are likely to change your mind as you go along?
Living with our hearts NOT condemning us is a MUST!
If your heart does not condemn you then you have confidence before God (1 Jn. 3:21). Well, we all desire and need to walk in confidence before God, allowing the peace of God to rule in our hearts. So we have to live according to what we understand to be right, pure, and holy. If we violate our hearts we will have no peace or rest, and physical, emotional, and spiritual disturbance will plague us so we do not sleep at night, as we find ourselves in a self-destructive mode.

Meekness is ALSO a MUST!
Pride comes before a fall (Prov. 8:13; 11:2; 16:18). Blessed are the meek (Matt. 5:5:KJV), for now, we see through a glass dimly but then face to face (1 Cor. 13:12). The path of the righteous grows brighter and brighter until the dawning of the full day of Christ in our hearts (2 Pet. 1:19).

Meekness allows me to grow, change, and become more perfect
So I embrace both 1) confidence that today I am as right as I know to be and 2) tomorrow I will see more clearly, and because of that may change my mind, and that is fine.

Summary
Confidence yet humility.
P.S. I have had a sign on my desk for many years: "Don't bother to agree with me, I've already changed my mind!"

Journaling
1. Lord, am I walking before You in confidence that I am living in full integrity to Your revealed truth in my life, and yet, humbly realizing that I see through a glass darkly, and so You will be revealing new insights to me on an ongoing basis?
2. How would You have me honor others who disagree with me, and yet point them lovingly and gently toward the light You have revealed to me?
3. Are there any blockages that keep me from being open to new insights You wish to show me?

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March 4

Jesus Dwells Within
Bible in a Year :
Numbers 31–33
Mark 9:1–29
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts.

Today's Scripture & Insight :

Ephesians 3:14-20
As a blizzard bore down on my state in the western United States, my widowed mother agreed to stay with my family to “ride out” the storm. After the blizzard, however, she never returned to her house. She moved in, dwelling with us for the rest of her life. Her presence changed our household in many positive ways. She was available daily to provide wisdom, advice to family members, and share ancestral stories. She and my husband became the best of friends, sharing a similar sense of humor and love of sports. No longer a visitor, she was a permanent and vital resident—forever changing our hearts even after God called her home.

The experience recalls John’s description of Jesus—that He “dwelt among us” (John 1:14 kjv). It’s a compelling description because in the original Greek the word dwelt means “to pitch a tent.” Another translation says, He “made his home among us” (nlt).

By faith, we also receive Jesus as the One who dwells in our hearts. As Paul wrote, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16–17 nlt).

Not a casual visitor, Jesus is an empowering permanent resident of all who follow Him. May we open wide the doors of our hearts and welcome Him.

By: Patricia Raybon

Reflect & Pray
What does it mean for you to open your heart to Christ? How can you make Him more welcome?

As You live in my heart, loving Jesus, make me more like You. Amen.

How can I live in perfect peace when so much evil surrounds me?

That is the question we are all asking today. If you are reading or listening to the news, the stress of being aware of what is happening is enough to make one sick (literally).

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States estimates that stress accounts for about 75% of all doctor’s visits.
Occupational Health and Safety News and the National Council on Compensation of Insurance find that up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints.

Stress wrecks our entire body

According to this Healthline.com article, stress causes headaches, depression, heartburn, insomnia, rapid breathing, weakened immune system, risk of heart attack, high blood sugar, fertility problems, stomachache, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, missed periods, and tense muscles.

The Reader's Digest article “What Stress Does to Your Body” (Feb. 2024) goes on to describe these results of stress:

A chemical rush of cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine. These hormones can destroy neurons, leading to brain atrophy, shrinkage or damage to the prefrontal cortex.
Your muscles tense up: clenching of the jaw, grinding teeth, TMJ disorder, tight shoulders with pain
Stomach: churns, microbes have to adapt, intestinal permeability increased (leakiness of the intestines), acid reflux (heartburn), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Heart: narrowing of arteries in the heart, decreased blood flow, palpitations, hyperventilation, arrhythmias, blood vessels tighten and constrict and can cause tingling in the toes, blood pressure raises (hypertension)
Lungs: more susceptible to coughing because your immune system is shut down, and viruses can take root more easily.
Skin: flushing, itching, inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, lines, wrinkles, premature aging of skin
Sleep: sleep less, toss & turn
Reproduction: missed cycles, reduced fertility, erectile dysfunction, impotence
Muscles/joints: sore backs, arms, legs, hands, feet, swelling, pain, stiffness, tendonitis, scarring

Stress causes epigenetic change

The information below is summarized from You Are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza (page 101).

The “Relaxation Response” causes 1561 genes to change:

874 upregulated (turned on) for health (immune function, etc.)
687 downregulated (turned off) for stress (inflammation, etc.)

Stress sets off:

1,400+ chemical reactions
30+ hormones and neurotransmitters changes

Bill Johnson: “For believers, unforgiveness is the greatest cause of affliction.” I agree. When I live in judgment it produces stress and wrecks my health. I (Mark Virkler) have experienced this numerous times in my life.
Stress is caused by gazing upon the evil around you

When we get our eyes off from Jesus and start looking around, we will be in the same mess as Asaph was in Psalm 73: Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart! But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked (and he goes on describing the evil that he sees – Ps. 73:1-9).
The solution is getting into God’s presence and seeing what He is doing

When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end (Ps. 73:16-17). Then he goes on to describe the revelation God gave to him that restored him to peace.
The KEY is our imagination

"The steadfast of "imagination" (Yester in the Hebrew) You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You" (Isa. 26:3).

Hebrew word yester H3336 (9 occurrences in KJV)

Translated as “imagination(s)” 5 times – Gen. 6:5; Deut. 31:21 (2), 1 Chron. 28:9; 29:18
Translated as “frame(d)” 2 times – Ps. 103:14; Isa. 29:16

KEY TAKEAWAY TRUTH:

A steadfast imagination produces an emotional response of perfect peace, which in turn frames up and creates my reality.
Application exercise

We all imagine (yester) all day long (ponder, picture, anticipate). Let's make sure all our imaginations are godly imaginations by having our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is at our side (Ps. 16:8; Acts 2:25).

As we look and see Him there, we pray for the Holy Spirit to take over this godly imagination, then tune to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures, and experience a living encounter with God that heals our fears and brings us perfect peace. Amen and selah!
original blog with pictures: https://www.cwgministries.org/blogs/how-can-i-live-perfect-peace-when-so-much-evil-surrounds-me

February 21

God’s Open Doors
Bible in a Year :
Numbers 1–3
Mark 3
See, I have placed before you an open door.

Today's Scripture & Insight :

Revelation 3:7–11
At my new school near a large city, the guidance counselor took one look at me and placed me in the lowest performing English composition class. I’d arrived from my inner-city school with outstanding test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal’s award for my writing. The door to the “best” writing class in my new school was closed to me, however, when the counselor decided I wasn’t right or ready.

The church in ancient Philadelphia would’ve understood such arbitrary setbacks. A small and humble church, its city had suffered earthquakes in recent years that left lasting damage. Additionally, they faced satanic opposition (Revelation 3:9). Such a disregarded church had “little strength, yet,” as the risen Jesus noted, “you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (v. 8). Therefore, God placed before them “an open door that no one can shut” (v. 8). Indeed, “what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (v. 7).

That’s true for our ministry efforts. Some doors don’t open. With my writing for God, however, He has indeed opened doors, allowing it to reach a global audience, regardless of one counselor’s closed attitudes. Closed doors won’t hinder you either. “I am the door,” Jesus said (John 10:9 kjv). Let’s enter the doors He opens and follow Him.

By: Patricia Raybon

Reflect & Pray
What doors has God opened for you? How does your ministry and life flourish when you wait for His openings?

When doors close to me, dear God, may I turn to You, the Holy Door, and walk where and how You say to go. Amen.

Do I lead or does God lead when it comes to binding and loosing?

Below is Matthew 16:19 in a number of versions. Some versions make it look like I lead in the binding and loosing process and some make it look like the Lord leads. Prayerfully meditate on these and journal about it and see what the Lord tells you.

In these versions it looks like I lead
• KJV - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
• NKJV - And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
• New American Standard 1977 - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

In these versions it looks like God leads
• New American Standard Version - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
• Young’s Literal Translation - I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.
• International Standard Version - I will give you the keys to the kingdom from heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will have been prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will have been permitted in heaven.

Personal journaling application
God, who do You prefer leads when it comes to binding and loosing? You or me, or doesn’t it make any difference?
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