September 2026 – Page 2 – Paul Nordman

How Do You Wish To Live Today?

Occasionally on my weekly prison visits as a Kairos volunteer, an inmate will share what led to his incarceration. Often times, the decisions and actions that culminated in their arrest were based on what some call, “the law of the streets,” an unwritten code of personal respect and survival. Among its various forms is revenge—settling disputes or offenses through physical retaliation. I often think, Why let anyone else’s act of instigation dictate your future? Retaliation leads to life behind bars—no freedom, no family, no control, little hope. For the law of the streets is accountable to the law of the land.

In last week’s post, we began to look at our active role in transformation, noting the call to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”¹ It is “the Spirit of truth”² who redirects our thinking, certainly, and most often through the Word of God; our role, in turn, is to “set [our] minds on the things of the Spirit.”³ Paul notes the urgency: “For to set the mind on the flesh [our human inclination toward sin] is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”⁴

To “set one’s mind” on something is to intentionally focus one’s thoughts on it and allow it to influence one’s decisions and direction. As we set our hearts and minds on the Spirit, He will never lead us down the path to sin and death. To that end, and in His power, we remain alert to falsehood and vigilant against it: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”⁵ And those who set their minds on the Spirit, He will always lead in the ways that are good and right, the things against which there is no law.⁶ This is the Christian walk; this is new life in Christ. This life and peace.

In the hostility of the flesh or the peace of the Spirit, how do you wish to live today? The choice is clear; let Him lead.

Father, your ways are good and your words are sure. Thank you for sending your Spirit to guide us through our journey here. Grace us to set our minds on Him and live in life and peace. In Christ we pray. Amen.

¹ Romans 12:2 ESV
² John 16:13 ESV
³ Romans 8:5 ESV
⁴ Romans 8:6-7 ESV, emphasis added
⁵ 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
⁶ Galatians 5:23 ESV

Thinking Differently: Three Focal Points

Our grandchildren are pretty disciplined about their homework, so part of Peggy’s and my time with them last week was solving math problems as a team. At one point, Abigail said, “When Daddy helps us with our math, he teaches us to think about the problem differently.” I thought, “Now that’s engagement.” It occurred me that, as he helps them develop their math skills, he is also building up their minds with regards to reasoning, creativity, perseverance, and confidence.

“Think differently”—in our transformation series (which began on June 10), we’ve observed it is God who steadily transforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the master craftsman, and “we are his workmanship.”¹ Yet we as recipients have an active role in our transformation, as well. So, let’s look, and let’s begin with our minds, for Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”² Then how do we as believers—born of and indwelled by the Spirit of God—align our thinking and the actions that follow? Over time, I’ve noticed three focal points emerge in my thought life, and I share them here in hopes they are helpful to you.

Focus on what is true. We are surrounded daily by misleading falsehood and discouraging deception, so I find Paul’s exhortations to be helpful. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”³ And taking the offensive, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”⁴

Focus on what is eternal. “This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.”⁵ We do well to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”⁶

Focus on where we’re going. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”⁷ And “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, . . . press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”⁸

Yes, think differently. And be transformed.

Father, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”⁹ “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”¹⁰ Thank you. In Christ I pray. Amen.

¹ Ephesians 2:10 ESV
² Romans 12:2 ESV
³ Philippians 4:8 NLT
⁴ 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
⁵ 1 John 2:17 NLT)
⁶ 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
⁷ Colossians 3:2-3 ESV
⁸ Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
⁹ Psalm 119:160 NIV
¹⁰ Isaiah 26:3 NLT