We have been “brainwashed.” We have had our brains washed with the wrong solution. We have been programmed to be selfish. Our thoughts have been limited to what we can receive for ourselves. This is not a proper motivation. The proper motivation is for us to understand the love of God and to respond to this love in a way which blesses the world.
We need to be “brainwashed” with the Word of God. You have to have your mind washed with the water of the Word. It’s the water of the Word that’s going to change you. It is going to change the way you think, the way you believe, and the way you talk. It is going to change the way you walk and the way you live.
Paul said Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for it. He also said Jesus washed the church with the water of the Word of God.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
(Eph. 5:25-27)
God wants us to grab onto his promises. We need to be cleansed by the word of God so we can understand His promises to us. God is not limited. We are the ones who are limited.
God wants us to cleanse our bodies and minds so that we can be ready and able to serve Him and to serve a messed up world. Our mission is to reach lost and hurting people in the world and to tell them of the Good News of what Jesus has done for them.
When we really understand what God has done for us through Jesus, then we will be more effective in reaching others.
God does not want us to be limited in helping others to find out about His goodness. God wants us to be equipped to do many good works. He does not want us to be limited by what we think. This is why it is important to read and study the Bible.
The Bible renews our minds so we can understand the unlimited power and nature of God. God does not want us to be ignorant of His will for us. He has given us the Bible so we can understand what He wants from us.
God wants you to serve Him with all that is within you. He wants you to be pure and holy and separated from the ways of the world. He wants you to serve Him and obey Him. You start your service by dedicating yourself to understand and to put into practice the principles outlined in the Bible.
Paul summed up this dedication to serving God eloquently:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing or your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Rom. 12:1-2)
Many minds are locked up to the limitless nature of God. The world is always struggling against God. The devil is the god of this world. He has spun many webs of deceit, which have sidetracked many people from understanding the true nature and goodness of God.
The worldly-minded Christian will never understand the limitless nature of God. A person bound by the limits of worthless religious traditions will never fully experience the limitless nature of God. Experiencing the limitless nature of God comes after your mind is renewed to the truth of the Bible, and after you are successful in applying its principles to your circumstances.
However, changing and renewing your mind is a process that takes time. It takes time to grasp the unlimited nature of God and his willingness to bless you exceeding, abundantly, above all you can ask or think.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Happy Caldwell is the founder and Pastor of Agape Church, a strong, Spirit-filled body of believers in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is Founder and President of the Victory Television Network, which operates two full-power Christian television stations in Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is also President of the International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM) located in Little Rock Arkansas.
Happy has an anointed way of presenting the Word of God in profound simplicity, making the character of God a revelation to those who hear. In 1979, God spoke to him to build a spiritual production center which would deliver the gospel throughout Little Rock, Arkansas, the United States, and the world. The Spirit of God has instructed him in the principles of taking a city for Jesus Christ. Through this revelation and a daily television program, "Arkansas Alive" (via the Victory Television Network), the city of Little Rock is being changed into a "city of light."
Happy has recorded several record albums and is known for his heartfelt worship to God. He has also authored several books.