Legacy
Train the Brain and Serenity for the Soul
By Karl C. Priest 10-7-17
(revised 11-24-17)
After reading a popular Christian book (Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf) I was impressed that science is catching up with what God said in His Word, but saddened to have to say that the book is another money making scheme pushed by “name it claim it” type ministries. It is akin to Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. Since Dr. Leaf mentions the satanic concept of Mindfulness, her book has the potential of doing greater spiritual damage than Peale’s book.
God did not make it complicated for us to have a sound mind and soul serenity (peace of mind) and He did not make it complicated.
What follows is a simple plan to train your brain and find serenity for the soul.
Memorize and frequently silently recite four Bible verses. The first two are PROCLAMATIONS from God and last two are PREPARATIONS for peace of mind.
PROCLAMATIONS
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
PREPARATIONS
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
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A slight enhancement to the above strategy is to silently (or out loud) sing a song. This one is my favorite. I have added some memory cues (in blue) which may aide memory of the verses.
CONFESSION-CONVICTION- CONVERSION-COMMENDATION- CONTEMPLATION
CONFESSION
Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
CONVICTION
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
CONVERSION
Now I’ve given to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!
COMMENDATION
Oh, the love that drew salvation’s Plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!
CONTEMPLATION
Soon I’ll hear that great home-coming call
To rise free from every sinful flaw.
I’ll see Christ who gave His all in all
On Calvary.*
CHORUS
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.**
STAGNATION-SOLUTION- SALVATION
STAGNATION
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore.
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry.
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
SOLUTION
All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I'll cling.
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul's best songs.
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.
SALVATION
Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey.
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!***
(repeat)
I try to precede the above activities with prayer. As a young Christian I learned an acronym for prayer: ACTS where A = ADORATION, C = CONFESSION, T = THANKSGIVING, and S = SUPPLICATION.
Adoration is praising God. Confession is admitting sins. Thanksgiving is thanking God for his blessings and answered prayer. Supplication is making the requests.
All of the above is great for those nights when sleep does not come easily.
God has given His children the tools for sound minds and peace of mind (soul serenity). It is not a complicated matter that requires the explanation of a scientist or even a preacher. You don’t have to spend money for a book or study guide.
Claim God’s promises, accept His statements. And talk to Him. He loves you and is listening.
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*This verse was written by Karl and Melody Priest.
**“At Calvary” is by William R. Newell in 1895. (Music by Daniel B. Towner)
***“Love Lifted Me” is by James Rowe in 1912. (Music by Howard E. Smith)
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ADDENDUM
More scriptures on this subject follow. This is not an exhaustive list. Use the King James Bible online and search “key word” to find the following references and many more.
THINKING/WORRYING
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?...Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:25, 34
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Corinthians 10:5
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8 ( double-minded is define by Merriam-Webster as “ marked by hypocrisy”)
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Philippians 3:13-15
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. I Peter 5:7
WISDOM
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8
MIND
And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God. I Chronicles 22:7
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. Proverbs 29:11
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee Isiah 26:3
Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. Isiah 46:8
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. Lamentations 3:21
Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: Ezekiel 38:10
And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. Mark 5:15
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Mark 14:72
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Luke 1:29
Be of the same mind one toward another. Romans 12:16a
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God. Romans 15:15
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2:16
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:23
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. Titus 1:15
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: I Peter 3:8
SPIRIT
And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh. Genesis 41:8
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? Numbers 16:22
But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. Deuteronomy 2:30
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Job 7:11
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Job 32:8
Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalms 31:5
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psalms 32:2
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Psalms 77:6
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. Psalms 142:3a
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. Isaiah 26:9
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit. Exekial 18:31
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Zechariah 12:1
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:47
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:59
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. Acts 18:5
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:29
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:16
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? I Corinthians 2:11a
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. I Corinthians 5:5
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Galatians 6:18
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:23
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26
SOUL
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. Genesis 27:4
And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten. Genesis 46:27
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. Job 10:1
But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn. Job 14:22
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Psalms 13:2
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalms 35:9
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Psalms 66:16
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Psalms 119:28
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Psalms 120:2
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. Lamentations 3:25
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Acts 4:32
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39
HEART
Regarding the relationship of body-soul/mind-spirit to the heart, according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary “the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life.”
Someone (source not recalled) said, “The heart is where my life is centered. It may be on the body, soul, or spirit.”
A good guide to see is “The Threefold Nature of Man” from Dispensational Truth by Clarence Larkin. The chart “The Threefold Nature of Man,” from Chapter 14, is excellent.
To study this subject further, following are some resources.
From a King James Bible Dictionary based upon the 1828 Webster’s :
heart(abridged):The seat of the affections and passions, as of love, joy, grief, enmity, courage, pleasure. The heart is deceitful above all things. Every imagination of the thoughts of the heart is evil continually. We read of an honest and good heart, and an evil heart of unbelief, a willing heart, a heavy heart, sorrow of heart, a hard heart, a proud heart, a pure heart. The heart faints in adversity, or under discouragement, that is, courage fails; the heart is deceived, enlarged, reproved, lifted up, fixed, established, moved. The seat of the understanding; The seat of the will; Conscience
Strong’s definitions (abridged):
Old Testament H3820 Lêb (labe) Used (figuratively) very widely for the {feelings} the will and even the intellect
New Testament G2588 kardia (kar-dee'-ah) (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)
Heart scripture selection:
But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deuteronomy 30:14
(F)or man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. I Samuel 16:7b
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart. I Kings 3:9a
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? Job 38:36
Thou hast put gladness in my heart. Psalms 4:7a
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Psalms 143:4
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:20-23
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7a
Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. Isaiah 65:14
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Matthew 15:19-19
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts 5:7
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:17
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Romans 10:10a
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17a
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. II Timothy 2:17
LEGACY INDEX
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