Getting Your Mind Right

No, I am not talking about being beaten, punished, put in chains, locked up in jail, and having our spirit broken. This saying brings me to think about the very old 1967 prison drama movie called "Cool Hand Luke" starring Paul Newman. The main character was rebellious and kept going against the prison warden, escaping, and being beaten within an inch of his life, until he was completely broken in order to "get his mind right". Punishment only goes so far, but as Christians, we are indeed punished for our rebellious sins, but in ways that only God and the sinner can understand. One of the very best examples of someone who actually had his mind right in the Bible was the very powerful Centurion of Luke 7. The Centurion was I am sure a man of war, schooled in the arts of combat and killing. He had many others under his command, and they all had to follow his orders or they might suffer great loss or death. The Centurion had even built the Jews a synagogue and was highly thought of in the community, even though he was a soldier of the Roman government. The Centurions were very experienced in battle on the front lines, and they commanded a unit of eighty other soldiers that followed their orders explicitly, even if by example, or out of fear. They were aware of what it was like to fight to the death. Yet, this particular Centurion knew of Jesus, and the man´s faith was astounding, being mentioned of in Luke 7 by Christ, as a man having such faith that he had not seen in all of Israel.

The Centurion would not even go to Christ in person, but he sent others to beg for him and beseech Jesus to heal his servant. When Jesus was not far away from his house, the Centurion sent other friends to ask for Christ not to enter into his house, that the Centurion was not worthy, but simply to say in a word and his servant would be healed. That is absolute faith in God. He knew the power of Jesus to command and authorize the healing of his servant, even at a distance. Healing from a distance was not a unique incident for Jesus, as there were also many other times that Jesus had accomplished such a great benevolent spiritual phenomenon. This Centurion had his mind right and knew the power of God. It was instantaneous and could occur from many miles away, and only a simple spiritual request was needed. This is the power of prayer. We as Christians should be so faithful as this Roman warrior, that to merely request of God the favor and it might happen even at a great distance, miles and miles away. Our friends and families would benefit greatly just from our mental request and our prayers. To seek the best for others spiritually is so highly commendable from Jesus that he knows our every need. You never know how the Spirit of God works when we simply make a humble request of good health and prosperity for our loved ones and friends. Jesus knows how right our mind is and the depths of our heart, and he also knows the needs of our loved ones, friends, and acquaintances. Sometimes, it is only necessary to be humble, pray, and ask.

Have faith in God and get your mind right.

Get your Mind Right - "Cool Hand Luke"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPNinxP5XM4

Luke 7:1 - 7:10

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-7-1_7-10/

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

October 20, 2022

Cliff Rhodes Christian Ministry