Our Mental War

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, open my heart and mind, Holy Spirit. Fill my consciousness and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: 1 John 1:8–9

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the 

truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all 

unrighteousness.

Verse of the day—Jeremiah 33:2-3 “This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it — the Lord is his name: Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know .”

Today’s reading:  Psalm 68-69 Romans 8:1-21

Our Mental War

Luke 17:20-”...because the kingdom of God is within you.”

  The secret of God’s kingdom for us is that it is within us.

So in Luke 13:24, when Jesus commands us to ‘strive’ for the narrow door, He is telling us to strive for what is already in us.

Why is it so hard to understand that God’s kingdom is already in us? I mean if we understood this, how different would our emotions and attitudes be? If we understood God’s kingdom in us, we would think like God wants us to think.

This is why Jesus said for us to strive for the narrow door-to fight for understanding-to learn to be conscious of His Spirit of Truth and to learn how to live victoriously over sin.

The more we fight for the narrow way, the more the narrow way becomes our way of thinking-our lives become a life of sacrifice-the more Jesus becomes our ultimate treasure.

When the end of all things as we know comes, we will be living in the visible, tangible kingdom of God. Sin will be gone.

But for now, we must fight for and celebrate what is within us-the Kingdom of God with His Spirit of Truth that always points us to Jesus as the treasure of our lives.

The narrow way is hard but remember what Jesus says to us:

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Why must we fight for what is easy and light-what is already inside us? Because the enemy with sin seeks the failure of our minds to concentrate on the heart of God in Christ.

The struggle is painful but the peace of the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit is what we strive for-the consciousness of the Lord gives peace at every turn.

Tell God you want to know how to strive in His power and peace.

...because He loves us, He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

I want to hallow Your name and become aware of Your kingdom in me. Give me today what I need in striving for Your narrow way. Forgive me for giving in to my weaknesses. Lead me away from hateful thinking.

God of goodness and strength,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen