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ATTITUDINAL ADJUSTMENT FOR 2022
The believer is commanded in Scripture to have a different mind, to develop a biblical viewpoint, and possess a Christlike attitude in all things. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (Romans 12:16) William Law wrote: “Man needs to be saved from his own wisdom as much as from his own righteousness, for they produce one and the same corruption.” We must have the mind of Christ to think with the Word of God to live, as the scriptures say with every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, so our thoughts and actions are in harmony with God’s. If we want to experience God and the joys of His plan for us then we must allow the Holy Spirit to adjust our attitude so we can truly know Him. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2) We must constantly renew our minds in the Word as a vital part of our attitudinal adjustment. Otherwise, our mind is like a vehicle driving down the road of life on a road full of potholes or as I like to call them VW traps, that catch us, knock us out of alignment with God, requiring a much-needed spiritual realignment of our attitude and to guide us around the potholes of life. Our attitudinal adjustment must be aligned with a sense of joy. 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. (Philippians 4:8) Our mind and attitudes must be kept free from bitterness, blame, self-pity, and pessimism, for us to really cast our cares on the Lord and trust in His sovereignty. Our adjustment requires an attitude of humility for sacrificial love which puts the needs of others above self. Humility is recognizing who we are by God’s grace and that He provides our ability to love and serve others. Religion and religious strivings are often corrupted and nullified by cravings and striving for power and security—the opposite of submission, humility, and trust. We cannot impart to others what we do not ourselves possess! Therefore devote yourself to one another placing the needs of others above ourselves. (Romans 12:10) Chuck Swindoll wrote in Strengthening Your Grip: The colorful, nineteenth-century showman and gifted violinist Nicolo Paganini was standing before a packed house, playing through a difficult piece of music. A full orchestra surrounded him with magnificent support. Suddenly one string on his violin snapped and hung gloriously down from his instrument. Beads of perspiration popped out on his forehead. He frowned but continued to play, improvising beautifully. To the conductor’s surprise, a second string broke. And shortly thereafter, a third. Now there were three limp strings dangling from Paganini’s violin as the master performer completed the difficult composition on the one remaining string. The audience jumped to its feet and in good Italian fashion, filled the hall with shouts and screams, “Bravo! Bravo!” As the applause died down, the violinist asked the people to sit back down. Even though they knew there was no way they could expect an encore, they quietly sank back into their seats. He held the violin high for everyone to see. He nodded at the conductor to begin the encore and then he turned back to the crowd, and with a twinkle in his eye, he smiled and shouted, ‘Paganini … and one string!’ After that he placed the single-stringed Stradivarius beneath his chin and played the final piece on one string as the audience (and the conductor) shook their heads in silent amazement. ‘Paganini … and one string’! Swindoll goes on to say: This may shock you, but I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. … Attitude is that ‘single string’ that keeps me going or cripples my progress. … When my attitudes are right, there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me. Yet, we must admit that we spend more of our time concentrating and fretting over the strings that snap, dangle, and pop—the things that can’t be changed—than we do giving attention to the one that remains, our choice of attitude. How transformed is your attitude? We are only required to be faithful in using what God has given us, in the context, in situation and ministry, as He places us. And without an attitudinal adjustment to be like Christ, that is impossible! May God Bless and Keep you all 2022 long, with an attitudinal adjustment from a heart focused on God and your trust in Him. Rev. Jerry Schmid
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AuthorNotes from the Staff @The Woods Archives
March 2023
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