SPECIAL EDITION - Firm Foundation Inspiration Minute June 21-Day Devotional Introduction, "Renewing the Mind." INTRODUCTION & DAY 1 (June 1) - The Spirit of the Mind  Today’s Reading: Chapter One of “Winning the Battle for Your Mind” And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2) “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind...” (Ephesians 4:23) For this devotional, we make a difference between “renewing the mind” and mental health.  I am a mental health advocate, along with many others. It is important to recognize that the brain is a physical organ that can experience conditions like other parts of our body. Because the brain controls our body and is the center of thoughts, emotions, and sensations such as pain, it is obviously a very complex organ. Certainly, God is a source of strength for all aspects of life. He has also provided medical and human resources to assist with physical challenges we face, including the brain. The word “mind” carries a lot of meaning and significance. One of the worst things we can do is take a simplistic approach as it relates to the mind and the human brain. The purpose of this devotional is to help participants appreciate the grace of God to help us understand the positive power of renewal for what Paul called. “the spirit of your mind.” The “spirit” of your mind relates to ones attitude, disposition, or spiritual perspective. Many of the best answers in life come from gaining both spiritual and natural understanding leading to applying principles that improve one’s life. For example, we know the importance of handling finances well by using principles such as having a budget, keeping track of spending, and making good choices with our money. Those are natural things that we do. However, there’s also a spiritual side to handling finances. We can be affected by things such as covetousness, greediness, stinginess, and addictions to unhealthy patterns as it relates to money.  1 Timothy 6:10 reads; “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Here, the apostle Paul makes a spiritual reference related to something natural, such as money. Your mind/brain has both natural and spiritual dimensions. We will explore dynamics that relate to spiritual factors related to the mind. “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23-24) So let’s go on this journey to allow the Lord to help us to become the best versions (“new man”) of ourselves! REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. In what ways do you need to become less conformed to the world and more transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2. As you experience renewing of your mind, what does a better version of yourself look like? ACTION ITEMS (What I will do with what I have gained) Get Your Copy of the Book: “Winning the Battle for Your Mind”