When I Think

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Philippians 4:8 The Message

I've heard a lot of stories from people regarding their personal experiences and thoughts on last week's Category 3 tornado that blew through our town and several surrounding cities. As a region, we are blessed beyond measure that NO one died during the blustering rampage. And we are so grateful to God for His mercy.

Most of the stories started with, "When I think what could have happened..." and then the stress and/or the tears followed... Why is it - as humans - we are so ready to focus on the evil that could have happened and get upset about it rather than rejoice and give thanks that it didn't happen? Why is it we have to spend quite a bit of time talking people out of a state of upset and into a place of thanksgiving and praise over things that "almost" or "could have" happened, but didn't? When you think, choose wisely...

Prayer:

Father,

           Your Word tells us to guard our hearts above all else, for it determines the course of our lives. Holy Spirit, convict our hearts when we choose to think about the what-ifs rather than what God did. Turn us from the path that leads us falsely to fear. When we think, Father, remind us to fill our minds and meditate on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. And to ALWAYS give You all praise in all things. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

On Guard

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT

I caught a YouTube video of old and very familiar commercial jingles the other day when I was out there looking for a specific old hymn. Later in the day, I found myself singing the jingles in my head. I was reminded of how easy it is to get distracted. Was I sinning? No. However, I think it was great that God reminded me of just how easy it is to allow things into our spirit without any effort at all, and how much more effort it takes to get rid of them. 

We're bombarded from all sides all day long. How much defense do we have on hand? Are we prepared? Are we guarding our hearts against the everyday drivel, angst, and frustration?

Verses 24-27 conclude the chapter of our text today - with these instructions:

Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. 

It's easy... way too easy to get sidetracked. If we're going to expend energy, let's make it worth our while. Let's make the effort to put in the good stuff - God's Word, His praise. Sound teaching. Make the effort to guard your heart. It's much easier than having to do a transplant...

Prayer:

Father,
            Make us ever mindful of You and Your ways and Your will for us. Keep us focused so that we stay on the safe path - the one You have walked before us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Oh! That Tongue!

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

James 3:2 NLT

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
James 3:6-10 NLT

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 NKJV

Has your mouth ever gotten you in trouble? Have you ever said something you wish you hadn't said? And if we didn't "mean" it, then why do we say it? The sad truth is we can't un-say it. We can't un-speak the words. 

So, are we encouraged that King David - a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22) - asked God to set a guard over his mouth, or disheartened because all these centuries later, we still wrestle with this same issue?

Jesus tells us in Luke 6 that it's out of the abundance of our heart that we speak.  Proverbs 4:23 tells us to, Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Instead of telling God all about a problem, let's go to the Word of God, find out what HE has to say about that particular problem, then speak/pray HIS Truth over our lives.

Prayer:

Father,

           Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* What Are You Thinking?

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 KJV

Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life. Proverbs 4:23 ERV

Have you ever noticed (on whatever media you utilize) how certain things affect you? For instance, what happens when you watch a video of yet another surprise homecoming of a soldier? Do you get teary-eyed? What about injustices or controversial news coverage or senseless rioting and destruction - do those things incite you to anger? My mother used to say it would make her "mad enough to chew nails and spit spikes!"

It's not only the life dramas or videos, sometimes it's just music. Have you ever noticed that certain music is disturbing? The lyrics or the volume or perhaps just the sound effects of it? And what about so-called reality TV? Who determined they were allowed to define our reality? It's not too surprising that they use vile language on some of those shows! If you watch them, they could make you mad enough to swear!

Keeping company with certain people may be mood-altering. There are some who are so delightful you can hardly wait to see them. And there are those... you know the ones. You feel exhausted just thinking of them because it feels as if they suck the life out of you.

God warns us to guard our hearts and minds. We have to be careful what we feed into ourselves! The Message Bible reads this way in Proverbs 4:23-25, Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.

Ephesians 5:15-17 - again The Message reads, So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

Again, our Promise for Today - 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.

Is your life not going the way you want it to go? Above all, be careful what you think because your thoughts control your life. What are you thinking?

Prayer:

Father,
          According to Psalm 119 The Message, You made me; You created me. Now give me the sense to follow Your commands. Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your Word. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen