The Main Ingredient – Part 2

Oh wow, you came back! Thank so much! You want to find out what that main ingredient is, don’t you? Well, I will not delay.

For those of you who cook, you know that if you have everything you need, except for the main ingredient, plans will either change or you’re on your way to the grocery store. You will not even waste your time, unless you have the main ingredient. In other words, I can’t cook a meatloaf, without the meat. That is the main ingredient.

My heart’s desire is not to help you feel better. My desire is to plant an incorruptible seed of life that will literally transform you from the inside out, but it starts with the main ingredient. I cannot plant life without the one who gives life and that is God. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” NIV

Having hope, joy, and peace does not mean every day is full of rainbows and sunshine? When I fix (focus) my mind on God’s word, God can fix (transform) my mind. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” OK, close your mind and just chew….chew….chew….keep chewing, reread it, meditate on it, digest it. It’s so much life in what God just said. If I choose to keep my mind on my troubles, I will remain troubled. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been there and done that; and, I had to get off of that merry go round. I was getting way too dizzy. Who is the “thee” that I’m supposed to keep my mind stayed or focused upon? You may say the “thee” is my husband, because I trust him. Mmm, how can I say this nicely, uh, you’re still on the merry go round. If you keep your mind stayed upon God, stayed upon Jesus, He will keep you in perfect peace.

God’s heart is for you to have peace, but peace is not just going to fall upon you like some kind of angelic gulf of heavenly aura. You have a responsibility to control what you think about. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is cultivated from within, not from without.

Should you strive for perfection? Those of you who know our self-effort will get us nowhere, say it with me – NO! But, as you trust in God, through God, you can do all things, and that includes maintaining your hope, joy, and peace.

Be blessed and don’t forget, God created you with a purpose in mind, but until you renew your mind, you will never walk in your purpose.

Beverly Green