Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Give Careful Thought

My friend Rocky sent this to me via email and I wanted to share it here:

Prov 23:7 (KJV) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

To repent means to 'change your thinking'. Do you pay attention to your thinking? Do you watch over it? Do you 'guard your heart'?

Prov 4:23-24 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. {24} Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Interesting how the verse immediately after guarding your heart is about watching your mouth!

Mat 12:34-37 (KJV) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. {35} A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. {36} But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. {37} For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

What we say reflects what is in our hearts, and as we think in our hearts, that is how we are.What do you find yourself thinking about? Do you weigh your thoughts against what God thinks? Give careful thought and you will know the fear of the Lord.

Prov 8:13 (NIV) To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

I just showed you where evil behavior and perverse speech start, they start with the thoughts of your heart. Certainly pride and arrogance start the same way for these are how a man might think in his heart.

Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. Cast down thoughts that exalt themselves against Christ. Whatever is good and noble and praise worthy think on these things.

Give careful thought to your ways, consider your thoughts, weigh them, reject the thoughts of darkness, feed on the Word.

It all starts with a simple choice. How much of your life are you going to entrust to God? If He's just fire insurance, well that's what you'll get. But if He is your focus, and your thoughts are centered on what He thinks, then expect the blessings of God to over take you and the protection of God to surround you, and the persecution of the world to come at you. Give careful thought and you will know the fear of the Lord and all the things that come with that.

Rocky

2 comments:

Susan Smith said...

This is what I call a "WOW" post, Christine. One of my favorite topics, because the greatest spiritual lesson God has taught me via my mentor is the power of thoughts and words.

At least ten years ago I recall telling her all of my thoughts were judgmental and negative about others. I viewed the world and everyone in it with a critical spirit. I told her I would be "casting down" EVERY thought I had. Praise the Lord for His patience and love. I soon learned to think differently. There are still times when my sinful nature wants to rise up with negative and critical thoughts, but thank God, because today I can quickly recognize the enemy casting his fiery darts into my mind and hold up the shield of faith to cast them down.

God's power can indeed "renew" our minds. Many are living proof that we do not have to be conformed to this world... we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds (see ROM 12:2). God bless you dear sister and keep on ministering the TRUTH to all who come. God rewards those who believe He exists AND diligently seek Him (see HEB 11:6).

Love from East Talpiot. (ss)

Christinewjc said...

Hi Susan,

I knew you'd like this post! When I read it, I thought of you and all that you have shared about the transforming power of Jesus Christ in your life here at this blog.

Yes, the Lord is transforming us through the power of His Word and His Spirit in our hearts every day. We just need to let Him work in us! Amen?

His sanctification works in our lives on a daily basis. And, often He brings other Christians into our lives to help us along. You are one of those Christians to me, Susan! You have gently shared so many words of wisdom that you have learned through your mentor as well as many Scriptures directly from the Bible that have helped me so tremendously when communicating with others. Love you for that!

Have a beautiful night of restful sleep over there in the Holy Land of Israel!

In Him,
Christine