A Clear Mind

A moment of Clarity

Don’t you love it when every now and again you get a moment of clarity and things become very clear to you?

Sometimes life can be quite confusing. Things sometimes just aren’t crystal clear.

Its kinda like a fog. you cant really see far into it. and you have to slow down and process things carefully.

The good news is that the most important things in this life are pretty simple!

So simple they may sound like foolishness.

Today I want to talk about a some young men who kept their minds clear and focused. We find their story in the book of Daniel

Daniel 1:8–20 AMP

But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king’s rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself. Now God made Daniel to find favor, compassion, and loving-kindness with the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear, lest my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink, should see your faces worse looking or more sad than the other youths of your age. Then you would endanger my head with the king. Then said Daniel to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove your servants, I beseech you, for ten days and let us be given a vegetable diet and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat of the king’s [rich] dainties be observed and compared by you, and deal with us your servants according to what you see. So [the man] consented to them in this matter and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days it was seen that they were looking better and had taken on more flesh than all the youths who ate of the king’s rich dainties. So the steward took away their [rich] dainties and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all [kinds of] visions and dreams. Now at the end of the time which the king had set for bringing [all the young men in], the chief of the eunuchs brought them before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king conversed with them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were assigned to stand before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the [learned] magicians and enchanters who were in his whole realm.

It is obvious that Daniel and his friends had some core values that were non negotiable.

You see our mind to be clear needs standards. It requires principles on which to operate. The problem is when our principles are not clear then our minds become foggy

Integrity - setting your priorities straight

Prov

Proverbs 11:3 NKJV

The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

Daniel purposed in his heart

Proverbs 28:6 NKJV

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

There are some things you just have to purpose in your heart.

1 Peter 3:16 NKJV

having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

And when you do, never violate them. There is power and strength that is released when we stand for the things that God has placed in our hearts.

Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 21:3 NKJV

To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

It has become too easy for us to think evil of one another, its become to easy to allow all kinds of junk into our minds. We sit at the table of this world and think that its ok. Whose cup are you drinking from? whose table are you sitting at?

what are you allowing into your heart and mind?

If you want to be like everyone else then go ahead and do what everyone is doing. If you want to live an abundant life, you will need a clear mind!

Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2