Anyone… and I do mean anyone… can observe what is going on today, and remain calm, rational, logical, and peaceful. But this is a choice. And this choice once made, requires certain actions on the part of the person who desires peace in the middle of this chaos.

The media and those who want to politicize this pandemic want to control your mind with a constant diet of infection projections, death projections, causing you to think you are next. Not might be. That YOU are next. They want you to live in fear. This agenda is straight out of the pit of hell, because Satan wants you to live in fear. Satan wants to rob you of peace, and the joy of your salvation. Whether knowingly or not, those who usher into your mind all these fear factors, are doing the work of Satan to control or destroy your mind.

I recently read about 5 visible effects of Mind Control:

Isolation
Moody Behavior
Metacommunication
NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
Uncompromising Rules

Yes, I know, I’m taking a chance here. But I promise this is not going to be a technical discussion… I’m offering tangible and applicable ways for you to fight against this mind control effort.

We are isolated (1)… causing moody behavior (2).

We are being told that using “the Chinese Virus” is racist and xenophobic. (3 – Metacommunication)

We listen to phrases in the reporting process like, “could be as many as 2 million deaths in the USA.” (4 – Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

We are sheltering in place under penalty of law. (5 – Uncompromising rules)

Now what can we do to combat these mind control efforts?

Many years ago as a young boy, I learned an acrostic (A.C.T.S.) that helps me in times like these. Before I walk through that remember what the Apostle Paul instructed the church in Rome, and us today…

ESV-Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

A – adoration

Turn your thoughts to adoring the Savior, Jesus Christ. Know that His claim to be God is true. Which makes His claim to have Sole Authority over ALL things true as well. He is worthy of our praise. He deserves to be worshiped and adored.

C – confession

Confess to Jesus you are afraid. Confess that all these statistics and modeling and projections of infection and death are getting to you. Of course Jesus already knows this, but when you tell Him, you are recognizing His claim to know it ahead of time, and that makes it safe to say it out loud.

T – thanksgiving

Think about how this progression works. When you take the time to worship and adore Jesus for being in control, through His sole authority; then take the time to confess these things you can’t control make you fearful… this frees up your mind to simply ease away from the fear and say “Thank YOU for being in Control!” Thank God today for all the first responders, for our national guard, for leaders that are doing everything they can do to get us through this WAR with COVID-19. Thank God for the home you live in. Thank God for the family around you. Thank God for friends you still have, but from a distance. Thank God there is still enough toilet paper to go around. (Did you smile? I know you did!)

S – supplication

About now, if you have followed through with a dedicated to choice to fight against the mind control… you are fully engaged in the spiritual war around us. I’m sure you have a list of people that you are thinking about during this time. I’m sure you have been praying for them already. But what about those not on your list? Why not ask God to open your eyes to see a need you haven’t seen before? Why not ask Jesus to give you some insight on how you can make a difference in this world under attack? Do you get where I’m going here? It’s not about you. Each of us have our own needs, and I am not trying to minimize any of that. But in times like these, we must come together. We must support each other. We must get away from the mind control games of the world, and meet needs. God will help us do that, if we ask Him how we personally can be involved.

What is the RESULT of this simple exercise? What does God promise?

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
ESV – Isaiah 26:3

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
ESV –Philippians 4:7

Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing can make them stumble.
ESV –Psalm 119:165

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.
ESV –Isaiah 12:2

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
ESV –Isaiah 9:6

We serve a Mighty God! He is the PRINCE of PEACE!

How about just one feel good story, about how we come together to meet other’s needs?

Did you hear the one about the Dr. going home after work, getting stopped by an officer for doing 85 in a 70 mph zone?

Oh… this is good. When you read it, just see it as God at Work… maybe He wants to use you, in a peaceful state of mind, to reach someone today.

Click here for the story.

share this post with your friends and family if you want.

An easy definition for mnemonic is: “a device such as a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something.”

I saw this “Word of the Day” prompt, and immediately thought this is something missing in so many Christ-followers today. Somehow we’ve forgotten some of the most important things designed to keep our daily relationship with Jesus fresh. However, there is a simple mnemonic I learned years ago which I still use often these days to refocus my mind on the major elements of my faith.

When I’ve taught folks as new believers how to pray Biblically, I’ve these letters: A.C.T.S. It goes like this…

A= adoration

All too often the first thing out of our mouths/minds towards God’s throne in heaven is, “help” or “could you please…?” While God is interested in hearing our heart-felt cries for help, the fact that we begin our prayers this way is telling us something. Maybe we haven’t quite figured out what our relationship with God entails. We serve the God of the universe who has all authority, is in control of everything, and has promised us His eternal presence here and now in our lives today, not just in heaven when we get there.

Knowing this about God should generate a more appropriate response of adoration, and a desire to bring God glory with the praise of our lips. We should exalt Him for what He has done, is doing, and will do in the future to glorify Himself in Jesus Christ, and in us. Seeing and knowing God these ways should result in a specific response.

C = confession

What a realistic view of God usually does for the true Christ-follower is very humbling. Like the apostle Peter in the boat when he realized Jesus was the true Messiah, Peter basically shouted “get away from me Lord, I’m a sinner!” Acknowledging our failures and sins before our Savior, and feeling the need to run and hide, is the very point at which Jesus pulls us into Himself. With fabulous forgiveness and glorious grace multiplied daily by our confession, we continue to walk in His spirit, bringing light and salt into the world around us. It also generates another response.

T = thanksgiving

The basic difference between adoration and thanksgiving is the understanding between God’s nature and God’s actions. We adore Him because He is God, and deserves to be glorified, exalted and adored. We offer our thanksgiving for how He acts toward us, and the world. The best and easiest way to do this is found in the old hymn “Count your blessings.” This song is not to be confused with the famous “White Christmas” song, “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” That’s a great song, but has a totally different meaning. The one I’m referring to goes like this…

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

And finally, after we’ve adored God’s nature and character, confessed our sins before Him, and offered our many thanks for all God has done, we’re prepared, in humbleness to approach the throne of Grace with…

S = supplication

I realize this is a word not many 21st century believers are even familiar with. So, again, a little definition. Supplication: the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Perhaps the keys words in this definition are “earnestly or humbly.” Too many people I know, start their prayers here, and in their voices all I hear is “God, look at all I’ve done for you… you owe me this.” They approach the throne of grace without knowing who God is (Adoration), knowing who they are (sinners), or with a grateful heart for how God has blessed them in the past (thanksgiving). They just jump right in, as though God is some cosmic slot machine, they throw up their many requests, and pull the handle (“in Jesus name”) and expect God to deliver whatever it is they want.

I’m pretty sure it saddens God’s heart when lost people do this. I’m convinced it grieves God’s heart gravely when He hears His own children act in this unbecoming way.

If you want to turn around the relationship you have with God in Christ, to be the living, vibrant life you truly desire spiritually, and Jesus described as “life more abundant”, then fill you prayers daily with: A.C.T.S.

Remember: who God is, who you are, all your blessings, then make your petitions…

The results will astound you.

Mnemonic

Tag: A.C.T.S.

Mind Control?