Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (NIV)
We hear so many motivational speakers say that we need to change our thought life. They say we need to speak positive aspirations to ourselves. Speak what we want to happen in our lives as if it already has happened. They say it is vital to our success in life.
But what does the bible have to say about our thought life? My pastor gave a timely message this morning concerning the things we think about. As I listened and took notes, I was inspired to share some of his points with you.
Pastor Steve has been doing a series for several weeks now on “The Pursuit of Happiness” and today’s topic was “Happy People Pursue Good Thinking.” He went on to talk about thinking good thoughts, referencing Philippians 4:8-9 which says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard of me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
That’s a lot of happy stuff there. I decided to look up definitions for each word:
True: Consistent with fact or reality; not false or erroneous; steadfast, loyal, honest, just.
Noble: Possessing outstanding qualities; of high birth or exalted rank; grand or impressive especially in appearance.
Right: Righteous, upright, suitable, appropriate, genuine, real.
Pure: Unmixed with any other matter; being thus and no other; free from moral fault or guilt.
Lovely: Delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace; eliciting love by moral or ideal worth.
Admirable: Deserving the highest esteem.
Excellent: Superior, eminently good.
Praiseworthy: Applaudable, commendable, creditable, meritorious, admirable.
One thing Pastor Steve said that really encouraged me was that God wouldn’t tell us to change our thinking if it wasn’t possible to do it. Even when bad thoughts seem to haunt us, if we replace those thoughts with true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy thoughts, we can surely change them!! We do this by reading God’s word, filling our minds and hearts with His thoughts. His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours and we can allow His thoughts from His word to permeate our thinking and drive bad, ugly, untrue thoughts away.
Happiness comes when our thoughts align with His thoughts.
Thanks Pastor Steve!
What is it you are hoping for today?
Romans 15:13 in the amplified bible says, “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.”
Hope defined by men (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English language):
Hope defined by God (The New American Standard Bible):
Today, put your hope in God. He will not disappoint you!
While praying this morning for a family who recently lost a loved one, having gone through the funeral services just yesterday, I was reminded of how difficult the day after was for me. When my husband’s funeral services were over, the friends and family were gone, I was left alone with my children at home, facing an uncertain future and feeling the sting of reality.
Then I remembered Patti. While the rest of my husband’s siblings were gathering at my in-laws, I was feeling rather down, depleted, and unable to bring myself to drive over there to join them. Patti was the one who was sensitive to my needs, calling and coming over to spend some time with my children and me. I praise God for Patti and the way God used her to minister to me that day after.
Do you know someone mouring the loss of a loved one? Have you recently attended a funeral service? Remember that person on the day after because it just might be their most difficult day. They might need for you to be their Patti, the one to comfort them, encourage them, love on them, and remind them of God’s love.
Bless you my friend. May you have a day filled with the power and love of Jesus!
As 2012 comes to a close and we welcome in 2013, should we spend time reflecting on the good, the bad, the ugly of 2012, or should we look ahead to our future in 2013? Personally, I prefer to look ahead.
Don’t get me wrong, lots of good things happened in my life in 2012. God has done some amazing things and I praise and thank Him for each and every one!
But, new beginnings are always so exciting. It is great to look forward into 2013 with great expectations, enthusiasm and hope. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. I am excited to see what Jesus has in store for me in 2013.
How about you!
It’s Christmas morning and I was reading the account of Jesus’ birth and the beginning of his earthly ministry in the book of Matthew. As I read chapter 4, verses 21-22, it struck me with the thought of what Zebedee might have felt when his sons dropped everything and followed Jesus.
Simon Peter and Andrew had just left their fishing nets to follow Jesus, and as they walked along together they saw James and John and Jesus called them to also join Him.
Hear what the word of God says in these verses: “And going on further from there He noticed two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets and putting them right, and He called them. At once they left the boat and their father and joined Jesus as disciples…”~Amplified version
Notice how the scripture say at once they left the boat and their father. The scripture doesn’t say they discussed it with their father to ask if he would mind if they left. It doesn’t indicate whether or not their father approved. It just says at once they left.
This got me thinking about Zebedee. Was he distraught that his two sons just up and left to follow this man Jesus? Was he angry? Did he call to them as they left, asking what they were doing and why? Did he question whether or not they cared that they were leaving him with the mess of finishing the work alone? Or was he happy to see them follow Jesus? Did he wish them well and thank Jesus for choosing his sons to be disciples? Did he understand anything about Jesus at all?
Sometimes when we follow Jesus we have to walk away from others in our lives who are not willing to follow Him. That doesn’t mean we just leave them behind and forget about them. We need to let them know that Jesus is worthy of our worship and our commitment to follow Him no matter what. We need to tell them what Jesus has done for us and what He can do for them. We need to show them the love of God, but we also need to be faithful to One who called us NO MATTER WHAT!
Will you be faithful to follow Jesus no matter what?
Found this lovely writing about Jesus and wanted to share it with you:
by Holley Gerth via Dayspring e-cards
Jesus
He came not to a throne, but to a manger.
He lived not as a King, but as a servant.
He chose not a kingdom, but a cross.
He gave not just a little, but everything.
“Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” ~ Ephesians 5:2 NIV
Jesus says in Revelation 1:17b-18, “…Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Keys…how we need them for so many things. Keys to our car, keys to our home, keys to our desk or filing cabinet in our office, keys to our luggage when we travel. Keys give us security. Keys protect our belongings, those things that are important to us.
Keys can also keep us out of places where we are not allowed, or places where we shouldn’t go. I don’t know about you, but I am glad that Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades and that through faith and trust in Him, we don’t have to worry about going there.
Have you trusted in Jesus? If not, why not do it today? It only takes a simple prayer in faith. You only have to believe that Jesus came, died for your sins, rose again and lives forever more. Halleluia!
Heard a co-worker say this recently when excited about something she wanted to happen. Got me thinking. Do we only pray when we want or need something, or do we pray just to tell God we love Him, we appreciate Him, we are thankful for all the many blessings He has put in our lives?
Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray….Yes! But pray about everything: what you want, what you need, even what you already have! Pray for direction. Pray for guidance. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer of praise.
Our God is worthy!
1 Thessalonians 5 “16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”