Training My Mind to Remember God

In review of Galatians 2:20 it says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (NLT).

Today’s verse is from Galatians 2. In it Paul confronts Peter. He tells Peter that he has been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I have Christ's resurrection power as I continue to fight sin. I am no longer alone, for Christ lives in me, his is my power for living and my hope for the future.

As I train my mind to remember God, the Bible reminds me to “pray all the time” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 The Message).

How is it possible to do this? What I’m learning is that one way is to use “breath prayers” throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. I choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: “You are with me.” “I receive your grace.” “I’m depending on you.” “I want to know you.” “I belong to you.” “Help me trust you.”

I can also use a short phrase of Scripture: “For me, to live is Christ.” “You will never leave me.” “You are my God.”

Pray it as often as possible so it becomes rooted deep in my heart. Just be sure that I’m motivated to honor God, not trying to manipulate him into doing my bidding.

Practicing the presence of God is a skill, a habit I can develop. Just as musicians practice scales every day in order to play beautiful music with ease, I can learn how to think about God at different times in my day. I can train my mind to remember God.

At first I will need to create reminders to regularly bring my thoughts back to the awareness that God is with me in that moment. Begin by placing visual reminders around me. I might post little notes that say, “God is with me and for me right now!”

However, If I’m seeking an experience of his presence through all of this, I would have missed the point. I can’t praise God to feel good but rather to do good. My goal is not a feeling but a continual awareness that God is always present. That is the lifestyle of worship.

Bottom Line:

Our old ways and sin have been crucified with Christ, so now we can live by our faith in him who loved and gave himself for us.

What this means to me:

My sin and old ways were crucified with Christ. Christ now lives in me and I live by faith in him who love me so much that he gave himself for me.

In summary, Peter reminds me that I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live for myself, for Christ lives in me. I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave himself up for me. I have his power for living and the hope for my future. I can train myself to remember God by praying all the time through breath prayers or short phrases of scripture. I just need to be sure that I'm motivated to honor God and not trying to manipulate him into doing my bidding. I don't praise God to feel good, but rather to do good. My goal should not be a feeling, but a continual awareness that God is always present.

Thank you Father this morning for the reminder that Christ lives in me and my life is not my own but rather doing what he would do to serve and help others. It’s not about me feeling good, but rather an awareness that you are with me. I pray this morning for your wisdom and guidance in my tasks / work items, in leading my team and in my interaction with others. This I pray through your Son Jesus name, amen!