Spinning our wheels? Not!

Are ya interested in that title? (Grin) We'll get to that momentarily, but first let's refresh our memory of the passage we are studying, OK?

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Peter 1:13-16, NIV)

Here it is in another translation -- check this out!

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” (NLT)

Wowser!
I warned you that we'd be camping here in I Peter 1 for a while....it's just so exciting and full of awesome stuff! (Grin)

Just a few days ago, seemed like everyone was telling the folks here in the Southland, "be prepared!"And it really is a good idea....get your seventy-two hour pack prepared: food stuffs, batteries, blankets, even toilet paper!  Be prepared..... if you are going on a trip, make sure your gas tank is full, tires are at the right pressure, and you've studied your route!

Our study this week deals with the preparation of our minds. The way we think -- are we ready for action?
In the previous weeks, we have discussed the living hope we have through Christ's resurrection; we have an everlasting inheritance -- heaven! That's our hope that we have, when all around us the world seems to be turned upside down. That is how we have inner joy, in spite of suffering. Our faith is secure, and we give praise and glory to Him....that's what the first few verses told us, right?

Therefore..... Peter is building on the foundation he built!
Therefore, prepare our minds for action.
Hmmmm. What do you think of, when you think about someone preparing for action?
Well, I guess athletes get themselves ready; they get in shape. They do particular exercises, and they eat nutritious foods, and then get lots of good sleep.
Some athletes also need the right equipment. Their preparation may include selecting the perfect bat or ball or shoes. They'll search and try many, many options before deciding on just the right one.
Race car drivers will prepare by honing their car's engine, tires, and more for the best performance on the track.
Jockeys will ensure that their horses are fed right, exercised correctly, and bedded down in clean straw.
And all of these folks will do something else: practice!
Over and over again they will practice their skill, until they feel they are fully prepared.

Oh, but wait! Peter isn't talking about our bodies here. He isn't talking about our equipment.
He is talking about our minds. He's pointing to the way that we think.
Did you know that our brain is one of the most complex things known to man? Billions of nerve cells make countless electrical connections inside our head. Millions of messages traveling around and across inside our brain, and all of it happens without our having to think or will it to happen!
We may be thinking of days gone by, concerns about tomorrow, our spouse's mobile phone number, our child's favorite video, or thinking, "Did I turn off the iron before I left the house?"
All of these are accessible inside our head, much like the files of a computer hard drive -- except better! Our mind is a marvel of God's creative work....He formed us in our mothers' wombs, the Psalmist tells us. We are "fearfully and wonderfully" made.

Yes, God gave us our minds. How we choose to use them is up to us. And Peter is urging us to prepare for action -- get ready!

We'll talk more on this next time....