2 PERSPECTIVES:
“Spiritual Wellness/Kingdom Mentality” & “A Disciple’s Conversation with Wisdom”
By Dr. Julius Sims, Pastor/Teacher
“Throughout our intimate ‘closet’ sessions with our heavenly Father, it is His intent to graciously and deeply impose or lay upon us measures of His unconditional love, His unfiltered Word, His warm responses, and/or His still assuring voice. As a result of His work, the aspects of our character [Eph. 4:24], our “becoming” [2 Cor. 3:18], our mentality [1 Cor. 2:16], and our obedience [Isa. 1:19] will become progressively developing variables [subject to positive change] for His glory. Because of the Spirit’s ongoing work of changing or transforming us into Christ’s image⸺ our spiritual wellness affords us the opportunity of demonstrating the Father’s heart towards those who know us, watch us, and those we encounter. In short, the Everlasting Father will further endorse our spiritual wellness that our Kingdom mentality may glorify Him. A Kingdom mentality becomes the “force” we need to touch others with our lives, our voices, & our love”.
“Spiritual Wellness/Kingdom Mentality”
John 15:13 (KJV)
Greater love hath no man than this—that a man lay down his life [soul life] for his friends.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Health is ultimately wholeness or soundness, a construct embodied in the ideal of the savior (sōtēr), which precisely means the “healer” who makes people healthy and whole. The ideal healer is the one universal healer, the Savior, Jesus Christ, who has come to bring in God’s Kingdom in which we are restored to wholeness (Edwin Huis). However, the process of achieving and progressing into such a state of wholeness would also require our spiritual participation coupled with self-denial. From a Christian perspective our social dimension would include a meaningful relationship with the Creator and not just with fellow created human beings.
REFLECTIONS: The ‘deep touching’ of God’s Spirit affecting our soul [Deut. 4:29], renders our now “enlightened” soul to become a precious tool or instrument for His use. Such a tool or instrument as an enlightened soul placed in the hands of a loving Father now becomes His means to strategically ‘touch’ our friends/neighbors/associates/strangers. An enlightened soul occupied with Kingdom-oriented instructions, governed by the Holy Spirit and purposely used by the Father, can reach targeted populations despite race, gender, creed, color, or ethnicity.
Proverbs 4:20-22 (KJV)
My son attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh
REFLECTIONS: “When God impresses us with His love, His mind, and spiritual revelation, it is intended to help shape our mental health so that our outward challenges and emotional life will not become unmanageable or uncontrolled. God’s Spirit and His revealed Word will help inspire and strengthen our mental health that we may sustain His intentions within us, while invigorating measures of our stamina that may have become inactive.
Both Spiritual wellness (e.g., scriptural meditation, a progressing prayer life, & strong belief system) and the associating condition of a balanced mental health (e.g., psychological & social well-being, healthy cognitive functioning of handling stress and realizing potential) is designed to reside within the ‘framework’ of a Kingdom citizen. There is a relationship between reaching the minds or hearts of others (i.e., the receivers) and the progressing spiritual wellness of Kingdom citizens (i.e., the givers).
Acts 20:35 (KJV)
I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
“Hard Questions: A Disciple’s Conversation with Wisdom”
1 Kings 10:1-3
1 When the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon, she came to challenge him with difficult questions. 2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a great display of pomp, bringing with her camels carrying spices, a very large quantity of gold and precious gems. She visited Solomon and discussed with him everything that was on her mind. 3 Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king.
Proverbs 2:2 (NASB)
Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
Dear Wisdom,
This is one of those rare moments within my spiritual journey whereby it seems I am inwardly “pushed” to present my thoughts to You. Consequently, such emerging and intriguing thoughts have apprehended my soul. As I consider the task of vigorously trying to shake away a small piece of sticky tape clinging to my finger, in like manner, attempting to shake away the thoughts pondering my head has appeared to be a daunting endeavor. Therefore Wisdom, what has been previously experienced about your love and spoken about your unfathomable insight, I have arrived into your presence. I have some questions sir!
I sense once again a distinct call from You; faint, but definitely heard. A call that is beseeching me to, come up higher. I imagine that probably means new transitions right? Do you want me to apprehend a more distinct view of Your Kingdom? Maybe witness some revealed things that you had once concealed? But, transitioning from where to what? I really don’t know yet! As a drastic measure, without first relying upon a spiritual trust factor, I tend to want to cast my dependency upon some outward assistance that comes from a few personal connections with present day believers. I dread being “struck” in my present place and the only positive thing that will exist within me is a “want to get out” attitude.
However, a real, authentic and unshakeable trust in You Wisdom can be a daunting responsibility. Are you asking me to trust YOU again? To me, it’s like walking, step by step, further out on a tree limb and hoping it holds my weight, even though I heard the distinct cracking sounds of the limb. However, I want to continue to “rest” in You Wisdom as I engage in seeking your heart and hearing your words. I will bring a lot of precious gifts to appease your personal participation during my inquiries. I’m willing to respond to You and not hold people responsible for the answers I have come a long way in this journey to hear from You.
It is your comforting words I long for Wisdom, not just answers to life many questions. There are hard questions about life, ministry, & relationships that are difficult to keep to myself. Wisdom, please fulfill your desire concerning my life! Dear Wisdom, you can help me realize that I don’t need a lot of answers, but the answers to the little hard ones, will be a lot for me to know. “Solomon answered all her questions; there was no question too complex for the king.”
Dr. Julius Sims (Ed.D.) serves as Senior Pastor of the Word of Life Christian Church, located in the inner city of St. Louis. His wife Cathy serves in leadership as well and provides a public worship ministry through the expression of dance. Both are a ministry son to Dr. Mark Hanby. Pastor Julius serves as covering for church pastors in his area, as well as their sons whose popular mine ministry is called: “Matthew 18:20 Mime Ministry” (FaceBook)
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