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

You're Gonna Get It

What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
Proverbs 10:24 ESV

Do you remember when we were children, if we did something wrong, someone was usually quick to yell, "I'm telling! You're gonna get it!" And "It" was some sort of dreaded correction - a spanking, being grounded, or both. If it happened enough times, did you learn to walk in fear of the what-ifs and what might happen? Proverbs 23:7 tells us that what we think about, and what we dwell on is who we are and determines how we act. 

Are we fearful (which is a sincere lack of faith and trust in God)? It's time to change our perspective and our expectations. We must grasp hold of God's unchanging, unfailing Nature. God is Love. He is Holy, Merciful, Forgiving, an all-consuming God. He said if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. He's not a man that He should lie. 

What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. Oh, we're gonna get it - but our choices can determine what "it" will be.

Prayer:

Father,

            Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be aligned with each other and with Your Word. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. For You Lord are my Rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen