As we said in chapter one of this book.  "After all the things he had created. it was on the sixth day that God decided to do the most amazing thing of all.  He decided that he was going to create a creature, unlike any other creature on earth or in heaven. God decided that he would place abilities in this creature (called man), that were similar to his own. This created being would be able to intelligently ponder circumstances, and make intelligent choices, with the ability to fully comprehend the consequences of the choices made. This creature would have the ability to love, to hate, to believe, or not to believe, and even be creative. God decreed that all this would be contingent on this creature's ability to choose. By an act of his own will, God decided to give you your own free will.  All of this emanated from the mind of God, and flowed into the mind of man.   What a bold move on the part of God. As we shall see later on, in all this God had a master plan for you and your relationship with him. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  Gen 1:27.   It is the mind that God placed in you, that allows you to be in his image.  It also is this same mind that God seeks to reason with.  CLICK NEXT TAB TO ADVANCE SLIDES BELOW.

The decision to trust and obey God is a choice. The Bible tells us it all began with the choice given to the parents of us all, Adam and Eve. God gave our father Adam the freedom to intelligently choose, and endowed him with the ability to comprehend the consequences of his choice. "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:16-17).  As we know he chose to eat.  It should be noted that Satan could not force him to eat, if by an act of his will he chose not to. As we know, Adam chose of his own free will to eat (he was not deceived by Satan as Eve was), as a result of this choice on his part, he passed death and a sinful natures on to you. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned  Rom 5:23.  Even today God gives you the power over life and death, that is to say, your own life and death.  You have the exact same choice to make as Adam, as well as the God given ability to make an intelligent decision. God demonstrated this principle, to the Old Testament Israelites (shortly after liberating them from Egypt). He told them they had potential to enter into the Promised Land, but it would be based on the choices they made.  "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live":  Deut 30:19. His word though spoken to the Hebrews in the wilderness, was the blueprint all humanity would have to follow for their 'potential entry into the spiritual "promised land". When we say man is a free moral agent we are not saying that man, in his now fallen sinful state, can on his own accord and willpower come to God.  The Bible clearly tells us that God has to help each of us to both make the right choice, and follow up the right choice with actions. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.  Phil 2:13. *No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn 6:44.  When we say that man is a free moral agent, we are saying that man, has to choose to submit himself to the drawing power, of the spirit of God. The Bible clearly shows, that if you make up your mind to trust and obey God, there is no power on earth or anywhere else that can stop you.  THERE ARE CHOICES YOU MUST MAKE, WHICH FOR YOUR SOUL, HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES.  TO VIEW YOUR CHOICE CLICK THE NEXT TAB BELOW TO ADVANCE SLIDES.

Whether you make up your mind to trust and obey God, or make up your mind to reject God, is dependant on the mindset you choose to walk in.  According to the Bible there are only two mindsets you can walk in, either you will choose to be spiritual minded, or you will choose to be carnally minded .   One mindset leads to death, and the other to life.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  Rom 8:6-8.  Throughout the Bible we see these two mindsets at work.  It is imperative that we by God's help, learn to discipline ourselves to think the way God would have us to. Many today struggle in the area of getting saved or after salvation maturing in Christ because they are double minded. The prophet Elijah, noted how the people of his day, suffered from the same dilemma.   He gave them a choice, they could either serve the one true and living God, or they could serve Baal. It should be noted that when those who were supposed to be the people of God were given a choice, as to whom they would serve, their double mindedness had so paralyzed them with fear, that they could not publicly take a stand for God.  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1st Kgs 18:21.  Many today are doing the same thing, they have become caught in two mindsets, on one side there is the mind that desires the things of God.  On the other side is the mind that desires, the things of the world, and to cater to the lust of the flesh. Christ warns us that double mindedness sets us in the middle; we are between hot for God, and cold toward God.  Christ warns that double mindedness such as this will lead to us being rejected by God.  Christ told the Laodicean church (some say that this is the church age we are now in), that their double mindedness, if not repented of, would cause them to be rejected. 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Rev 3:15-16.    Instead of being double minded, it is the will of God, that YOU come before him, with a made up mind.   This is what Satan does not want YOU to have.  Satan learned first hand about the power of a made up mind.  So will we if we as believers make up in our mind to trust and obey God. 

It is only those who make up in their mind to trust and obey God who will stand and endure unto the end.  If you are going to stand, in Christ, the first step is to make up your mind, that by his help you will stand.  You should say as the Psalmist said.  My heart (mind), is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Psalm 57:7. There are only two minds God sees in you,  either he sees  #1. A made up mind, or #2. A double mind. God made it clear in his word that he will not accept a double minded person.  Christ warns that he will not accept double mindedness. Christ told the Laodicean church (some say that this is the church age we are now in), that their double mindedness, if not repented of, would cause them to be rejected. 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Rev 3:15-16.    Instead of being double minded, it is the will of God, that you come before him, with a made up mind.   This is what Satan does not want you to understand or function in.  Satan learned first hand about the power of a made up mind, in his encounter with Job.  It is in the situation and circumstances surrounding Job, that God highlights the power of a made up mind, to trust respect and obey Him.  The word of God highlights the godly respect and obedience which dwelt in the mind of Job. Job was determined to honor God in all that he did. Not only was Job was concerned about honoring God in his mind,  He even offered sacrifices to God on behalf of his Children, just in case they had cursed God in their minds. 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 5  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts (mind). Thus did Job continually Job 1:1&5. When Satan  came before God, Satan boasted about the fact that he was going all over the earth doing as he pleased.  God then pointed out how Job had a deep respect for Him, and that Job lived a holy life, 7  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  8  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?  Job 1:7-8.   *Can God say the same about you???   Satan did not fully understand the power of a made up mind to trust and obey God.  Surely I can get him to curse God,  Satan thought.  Satan told God if he took away all of Job's possessions, Job would lose his respect for God and curse God to his face, 11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 9-11. God allowed Satan to attack Job, but Job held onto his respect for God. Satan even got to Job's wife , she told Job he should curse God and die, Job still refused to do it, Job 2: 9-10.    As we know, all of Satan's efforts to cause Job to lose his respect for God, and curse God to his face, failed.  Job still maintained a mind to respect God.   21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:21-22.   Satan used everything in his power to get Job to change his attitude toward God, yet Job refused.  Even so it is with you today.  When a you make up your mind thatyou are going to respect and obey God, there is no power anywhere, that can stop you.

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. The decision has been made.  I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down or back away.  My past is redeemed, at  present I have assurance, my  future is secure. I'm finished and done with  selfish living, sight walking, small planning, "smooth knees," tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and  running from the giants.  I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, man's promotions, self pity or popularity. I don't have to be right in man's view, , first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with His patience, live by prayer and labor with His power.  My face is set; my gait is sure; my goal is heaven; my road is narrow; my way is rough, my companions  are few; but my heavenly Guide is reliable; will never forsake, and he has made my mission is clear. I have determined within myself, to emulate his walk by embracing my cross,  therefore I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity because I know that I am being sustained by Christ. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed for prayer, stood up for right,  looked up too him, and been caught up to meet him in the air. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.  I'll be the one proudly carrying my cross. Do you know who I am?  You should, I am the person God is calling you to be,  I am the place God is trying to get you to arrive at,  I am the what it takes to be more than a conqueror,

                                          What' my name?  you ask, you can call me a made up mind.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  James 1:8,  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  James 4:8.  In his New Testament letter, the apostle James twice uses the term double-minded (James 1:8; 4:8). Being double-minded is a problem that no doubt effects the lives of many today.  It has a profound effect on the love we express to God first, and to men secondly. The Greek word translated "double-minded" is dipsuchos, from dis, meaning "twice," and psuche, meaning "mind." James uses it to describe someone who is divided in his interests or loyalties, wavering, uncertain, two-faced, half-hearted. As we will see, much of what James spoke of in his writings referred to the negative impact a double mind has on our relationship with God and man.   In order to understand what is the worst case scenario of double mindedness, we must understand, what God most requires that we do.   When find out what is most important to God, by considering the answer Christ gave, when asked what was the greatest commandment of all. 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matt 22:36-40.  It is the area of,  #1. Our love for God, and  #2. Our love for others, that we must fervently strive to obey God's guidelines. These are the main areas where many are double minded.    If we set our mind to obey God in these two areas, our thoughts and thus our path, will be established. The process by which a double mind or a made up mind is established in us, is all rooted in the mind and the choices we make there. We are in a spiritual battle for our soul, which functions in the mind. Our ability to understand and comprehend, along with attitudes we develop toward God, and our fellowman, are all formulated in our mind, therefore the mind of man is where the word of God is most directed.  

Whether you make up your mind to trust and obey God, or make up your mind to reject God, is dependant on the mindset you choose to walk in.  According to the Bible there are only two mindsets you can walk in, either you will choose to be spiritual minded, or you will choose to be carnally minded .   One mindset leads to death, and the other to life.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  Rom 8:6-8.  Throughout the Bible we see these two mindsets at work.