Renewed Mind
Renewed Mind
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Apostle Mike Herzog
The thoughts that form in your mind shape your reality. This truth is emphasized in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The pioneering American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford, once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t–you’re right.” Our circumstances do not dictate our outcomes in life. It is crucial that we take control of our minds as stated in II Corinthians 10:5 (KJV), “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.” We are unable to discern God's will for us when we adopt the world's way of thinking. Adopting the attitudes, values, and practices of contemporary culture—which frequently conflict with God's will—is what it means to be conformed to the world, leading to a mindset that prioritizes personal desires over spiritual truths. In II Timothy 3:1–5, Paul discusses the worldly mindset, summarizing it as an attitude of selfishness. Our constant effort to break the worldly, self-centered routine is what renews our minds.
God wants each of us to have renewed minds. Apostle Mike teaches us about a man named Jacob that went through a process of having his mind renewed. Chapter 25 of Genesis tells us about the start of Rebecca and Isaac’s lineage. “So, when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so, they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so, his name was called Jacob.” Since birth, Jacob had been trying to get one up on Esau. The name Jacob means “holder of the heel” or “deceiver.” Esau grew up to be a hunter, while Jacob preferred a domestic lifestyle by his mother’s side. When Esau was vulnerable after a strenuous day of hunting, Jacob took advantage of him. Esau was enervated, so Jacob bargained for Esau’s birthright in exchange for a bowl of stew. This was a prime example of Jacob displaying worldly thinking to get ahead in life.
Later, when their father had reached an elderly age, the time came for Isaac to declare a spoken blessing over his oldest son. There is power in speaking positive words and blessings over your children. Doing so can impact their future, and Isaac understood that. Because Rebekah preferred Jacob, she devised a plan after hearing Isaac tell Esau to go hunting and return with dinner so his father could bless him. Isaac had poor sight, and so the plan was for Jacob to disguise himself as Esau, present the dinner, and trick his father into giving him the first-born blessing. Jacob was given multiple opportunities to repent when his father questioned his identity, but he did not. These same opportunities are given to us by God. Isaac was fooled and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob according to Genesis 27:28–29, “Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!” When Esau finally returned, Isaac realized it was too late, that he’d already given Jacob his blessing. This infuriated Esau. Though Jacob got what he wanted, he felt remorse. Fearing Esau’s repercussions, Jacob fled to go stay with his Uncle Laban.
Ironically, Uncle Laban was a man with little integrity. While living in this new land Jacob fell in love with Uncle Laban's daughter Rachel. Laben makes a deal with Jacob to work for him for seven years to earn Rachel’s hand in marriage. The day after the wedding Jacob discovers he’s been duped into marrying Rachel’s sister Leah. Uncle Laban then proposes Jacob work another seven years to have Rachel. God used that experience as a lesson to help change Jacob’s character. After finally marrying Rachel and building a family with the two sisters, Jacob hears that his father’s life is coming to an end and decides to return to his homeland.
On the way to reunite with Esau, Jacob has a moment alone, and a battle inside of his mind ensues when he has an encounter with God. There are times we have confrontations in our mind that conflict with God’s truth. When this happens, we have the option to be loyal to our mind’s conclusions or reject those thoughts and hold onto what God promises. He promises healing and breakthroughs. Jacob chose to hold onto God’s truth at the point in Genesis 32:24, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.” Because of this, he experienced a breakthrough: Genesis 32:28, “And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.” The injury serves as a reminder of his human frailty and reliance on God rather than his own strength, as scripture describes the angel touching his hip socket and causing it to go out of joint. In the process of renewing your mind the key is realizing in your weakness God is made strong. When Jacob finally reconvened with Esau, he humbled himself and bowed before his brother. He insisted blessing Esau with a gift.
The word of God transforms our minds into kingdom thoughts, not the patterns of this world. That’s neuroplasticity for you. When you create a new habit, old patterns of thought change, and the network of neurons in your brain changes shape. God wants us to become selfless people who lay down their lives for others.
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Apostle Mike Herzog
The thoughts that form in your mind shape your reality. This truth is emphasized in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” The pioneering American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford, once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t–you’re right.” Our circumstances do not dictate our outcomes in life. It is crucial that we take control of our minds as stated in II Corinthians 10:5 (KJV), “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.” We are unable to discern God's will for us when we adopt the world's way of thinking. Adopting the attitudes, values, and practices of contemporary culture—which frequently conflict with God's will—is what it means to be conformed to the world, leading to a mindset that prioritizes personal desires over spiritual truths. In II Timothy 3:1–5, Paul discusses the worldly mindset, summarizing it as an attitude of selfishness. Our constant effort to break the worldly, self-centered routine is what renews our minds.
God wants each of us to have renewed minds. Apostle Mike teaches us about a man named Jacob that went through a process of having his mind renewed. Chapter 25 of Genesis tells us about the start of Rebecca and Isaac’s lineage. “So, when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so, they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so, his name was called Jacob.” Since birth, Jacob had been trying to get one up on Esau. The name Jacob means “holder of the heel” or “deceiver.” Esau grew up to be a hunter, while Jacob preferred a domestic lifestyle by his mother’s side. When Esau was vulnerable after a strenuous day of hunting, Jacob took advantage of him. Esau was enervated, so Jacob bargained for Esau’s birthright in exchange for a bowl of stew. This was a prime example of Jacob displaying worldly thinking to get ahead in life.
Later, when their father had reached an elderly age, the time came for Isaac to declare a spoken blessing over his oldest son. There is power in speaking positive words and blessings over your children. Doing so can impact their future, and Isaac understood that. Because Rebekah preferred Jacob, she devised a plan after hearing Isaac tell Esau to go hunting and return with dinner so his father could bless him. Isaac had poor sight, and so the plan was for Jacob to disguise himself as Esau, present the dinner, and trick his father into giving him the first-born blessing. Jacob was given multiple opportunities to repent when his father questioned his identity, but he did not. These same opportunities are given to us by God. Isaac was fooled and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob according to Genesis 27:28–29, “Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!” When Esau finally returned, Isaac realized it was too late, that he’d already given Jacob his blessing. This infuriated Esau. Though Jacob got what he wanted, he felt remorse. Fearing Esau’s repercussions, Jacob fled to go stay with his Uncle Laban.
Ironically, Uncle Laban was a man with little integrity. While living in this new land Jacob fell in love with Uncle Laban's daughter Rachel. Laben makes a deal with Jacob to work for him for seven years to earn Rachel’s hand in marriage. The day after the wedding Jacob discovers he’s been duped into marrying Rachel’s sister Leah. Uncle Laban then proposes Jacob work another seven years to have Rachel. God used that experience as a lesson to help change Jacob’s character. After finally marrying Rachel and building a family with the two sisters, Jacob hears that his father’s life is coming to an end and decides to return to his homeland.
On the way to reunite with Esau, Jacob has a moment alone, and a battle inside of his mind ensues when he has an encounter with God. There are times we have confrontations in our mind that conflict with God’s truth. When this happens, we have the option to be loyal to our mind’s conclusions or reject those thoughts and hold onto what God promises. He promises healing and breakthroughs. Jacob chose to hold onto God’s truth at the point in Genesis 32:24, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.” Because of this, he experienced a breakthrough: Genesis 32:28, “And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.” The injury serves as a reminder of his human frailty and reliance on God rather than his own strength, as scripture describes the angel touching his hip socket and causing it to go out of joint. In the process of renewing your mind the key is realizing in your weakness God is made strong. When Jacob finally reconvened with Esau, he humbled himself and bowed before his brother. He insisted blessing Esau with a gift.
The word of God transforms our minds into kingdom thoughts, not the patterns of this world. That’s neuroplasticity for you. When you create a new habit, old patterns of thought change, and the network of neurons in your brain changes shape. God wants us to become selfless people who lay down their lives for others.
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