As One Thinketh

 

         For as he thinks within himself, so he is. (Proverbs 23: 7)

 

We are what we think, and our lives are controlled by our thoughts. It is true that we have been thrown much negativity in 2020—but we must ask what we are doing with it? Are we allowing it to rule our thoughts? James Allen writes a book that addresses these questions entitled, As a Man Thinketh. In it he writes:

 

“Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results. This is but saying nothing can come from corn but corn, nothing from nettles but  nettles.   Men  understand this law in the natural world, and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world (though its operation there is just as simple and undeviating).”

 

Are you thinking about the news of the day and how bad things are, or how someone hurt your feelings, or how your life seems to be going in the wrong direction—or just standing still? These thoughts will not move you in the right direction. Know that God loves you and has much in store for your life.  As we begin a new year let’s  make sure our thoughts  are on God’s promises. Let’s meditate on His word—for His word brings forth  life:

 

3 1 The words of God giveth life. 5 Trust in God. 7 Fear him. 9 Honor him. 11 Suffer his correction:  21 To them that follow the word of God, all things shall succeed well. (Proverbs 3

 

Ready for Christmas?

It seems that everywhere we go this time of year people ask the same question, “Are you ready for  Christmas?” Generally, people are referring to the  idea of the tree being decorated, lights on the house, Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree, and the menu set for Christmas Day.

When asked that question, maybe we should revise  it to say, “Are we ready for Christ?”  Before the ministry of Jesus began, John the Baptist was sent by God to get the people ready to meet Jesus:

In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.'"…"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" (Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6).

Christmas is next week and there is lots to do, but nothing is more important than getting our heart prepared for the Messiah. This poem by an unknown author asks  “Are we really ready for Christmas?”

Author unknown

" Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Then wearily she sat for a moment and read,
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream!
"Ready for Christmas! What do you mean?
I seem to remember that only last week,
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street.

"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you'd better let God be the judge.
Why, how can the Christ child come and abide
In a heart that is selfish and still filled with pride?
Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
So little he asked, which you could have spared.

"Ready for Christmas! You've worked, it is true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas! Your circle's too small.
Why, you are not ready for Christmas at all!"
She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!
Oh, Father, forgive me. I see what you mean:
To be ready means more than a house swept clean.

"Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness, sin--
Ready for Christmas means ready for Him.

Love Never Fails

 

With Christmas, it is generally easy to get so busy with cooking, decorating and shopping that we often forget why we’re doing all this in the first place. Frequently the ones we love the most  get caught in the brunt of our frustration, due to our overloaded schedules during this season.

 

 I don’t know about you, but the Pandemic seems to have really slowed down the general hustle and bustle of  our packed  holiday schedules. Simple things seem to be standing out instead: the appreciation for our health, the smile of a baby, the warmth of our pet sitting on the couch next to us, the voice of a friend, the stars in the sky.  The missed parties and plays,  and shopping excursions seem to be less important than usual. With all the extras missing, it seems easier  to focus  on what really matters.

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13: 13)

 

We can more readily see what the shepherds and angels found on that cold night in Bethlehem—love lying in one of the most basic places— a manger. The silver lining in this difficult but less complex year is that many  of us are seeing the greatest of these more vibrant than ever… love… and love never fails! (13:8)

As we continue to trek through the scare of Covid-19, we often feel alone and scared.  But remember God is with us, we need not fear. This is especially  powerful in the Christmas season as we study the verses of His incarnation. When we speak of the Incarnation we are talking about the fact that he entered our world as a human… God wrapped in flesh. He is the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). 

 

He understands the journey we are on because he experienced what we experience—temptation, love, joy, fear, doubt, grief and rejection. He wept, bled, suffered and died. So, when you feel weak and overwhelmed—turn to the One who understands and walks with you!

The Light of the World

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  (John 1:1-5)

This beautiful passage reminds us that God always was! He is life, and  all of life comes through Him and His life is the light to all people.  His light blazed in the darkness and this light could not be extinguished. In this passage the writer  helps us better understand the season of  Advent—a season of hope and anticipation. Even amongst all the darkness, light will prevail and overcome.  God sent His son into this dark world to save the world from evil and darkness—to save us from sin. From the beginning of his gospel, John assures us who will ultimately come out on top.

“That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”

As we ponder His first coming and hope for His second, consider today how the light of Christ may shine into the darkness around you during this Advent season.

Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus

 

Charles Wesley wrote a favorite Advent song we sing every season called “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” From the onset of the song we are reminded why Jesus came—"to set thy people free.” It goes on to say….“born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King.”  

 

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring…

Charles Wesley reminds us of the magnitude of this happening and how this hope came to earth to live in us… “born to reign in us forever!” As we fight through the other aspects of Christmas that our modern society has thrown in, we should try not to forget what really happened that wonderful day almost 2000 years ago! Perhaps we should slow down and “find our rest in Thee.”

Preparing for His Coming

 

I love the Message version of the first part of the passage we looked at Sunday:

 

42 ^1-4 “Take a good look at my servant.
    I’m backing him to the hilt.
He’s the one I chose,
    and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.
    He’ll set everything right among the nations.
He won’t call attention to what he does
    with loud speeches or gaudy parades.
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt
    and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,
    but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.
He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped
    until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.
Far-flung ocean islands
    wait expectantly for his teaching.

 

In Christ’s first coming He showed what true righteousness looked like. What a message  for us to follow. We don’t have to call attention to what we do or say. We just quietly tend to those who are in need. We are to persevere  in our task knowing that each day we are working for justice. In following this servant’s role,  we are participating together with other believers to help prepare the world for the  second coming of our Lord! 

Chosen

 

Thoughts for the Day December 7, 2020

I’ll never forget this  beautiful spring day when our  sixth grade class went outside to play kickball. There were two team captains selecting their teammates. I was not the first or the second chosen—but the last. I felt as if I was not chosen at all. 

The good news is God chose us! We are reminded of that in the passage we looked at yesterday:

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold my chosen, in whom my soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1a).

We are indeed chosen—it may have been when water was poured over your head during baptism. You might have felt God’s choice when you decided to stop running from God and to be open to God’s loving forgiveness. No matter when or where or even how, God chose you!

How wonderful it is to know that God will use all of us together to do His kingdom work. We praise God during this Advent season as we come together in service and prepare the world for the coming of our Lord!

  

Thoughts for the Day December 5, 2020

All week we have been discussing how hope is the key ingredient to surviving any challenge in life.  God’s word tells us that He has good in store for your future. Jeremiah reminds us of this promise:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

When things look rough, don’t allow bleak circumstances let you lose hope, instead memorize this verse, ponder it and practice hope even when you don’t feel it. You may be amazed as to what happens next: 

 

“ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Our Hope Sure and Steadfast

“Hope” is a funny thing because we can hold tight to it one day and allow it to slip the next. Sometimes we are hoping for something but when it doesn’t come to pass in our timing or the way we are expecting, our hope begins to fade. 

 

 When doubt begins to creep into our minds, instead of  giving up, let’s draw from similar stories in the Bible where hope was a distant possibility, yet God came through. Consider the story of the Israelites when they were hemmed in at the Red Sea with no way of escape, yet God parted the Red Sea saving them from the enemy. Or what about the story of David defeating Goliath against all odds or Daniel being placed in the Lion’s Den without a scratch to be found. There are numerous stories in the Bible where hope seems distant and yet God steps in and makes a way. Don’t grow weary or discouraged when your hope drifts, rather be confident in God’s word:  

 

¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure …” (Hebrews 6: 19a)

 This passage encourages us to keep on hoping and trusting God’s promises!

Authentic Hope

Each year we light candles on the Advent Wreath and the first one we light generally represents hope. Our world is in desperate need of hope right now. “Hope” is commonly used to mean a wish: its strength is the strength of the person's desire. But in the Bible hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. As believers we know that “Hope is real” but for many people hope is not real. Let’s share the gift of hope with others found in the good news of Jesus Christ. When we bring hope, we bring life. Jesus reminds us of what the hope found in following Him looks like:

 

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

 

This is one of the greatest gifts we can share with others—the gift of authentic hope!

 

Are You Ready for Christmas?

 

This Sunday officially kicks off the Advent Season and it won’t be long before we’re asked, “Are you ready for Christmas?”  We will begin to hear this common question of the season from the clerk that is checking us out at stores,  bank tellers, nurses at the doctor’s office, strangers and friends. We all know what the question is directed toward—is your shopping complete, presents wrapped and under the tree.  It is hard not to get caught up in the buying, wrapping, glitter, bright lights, and decorations of the season. But perhaps that question  asked should be one we ponder in a different sort of way this year and re-think the words to ask, “Are you ready for Christ?”  In the Gospel of Matthew we hear how John the Baptist made the way ready for Jesus:

 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him. (Matthew 3: 1-3)

 

The term “repent” is not a particularly popular word in our culture today. It means to turn away from  worldly ways, change and transform ones ways to be more like God. It is to ask God to forgive us for our rebellious ways and begin to live more like Him.  This is how we prepare the way for our Lord to live in us each and every day.

Perhaps this season when asked “Are you ready for Christmas?” we replace the word Christmas with Christ and ask “Are you ready for Christ?” This may help us truly be prepared for Christmas!

 

Happy Thanksgiving

As a child  I memorized Psalm 100 and to this day it is one of my favorites. It is one of those passages that reminds us of God’s greatness and enduring love forever and ever. No matter what we have had to endure in 2020, He is given us many reasons to choose thankfulness and joy this day. Let’s do what the Psalmist says in this great passage:

 

100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100: 1-5)

 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Blessings!

 

It is harvest time in America. In Mobile, people are sharing their abundance of oranges, satsumas, grapefruits, lemons and more. In the Hebrew calendar harvest was a huge time of celebration. Harvest is a big part of the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths when Israel celebrates  the blessings God has given them. 

Moses wrote “Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing  floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your feast—you, your sons and daughters…For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands and your joy will be complete.” (Deuteronomy 16: 13- 15)

When our country was founded, the settlers also celebrated with a time of feasting at the end of harvest, thanking God for all He had provided and asking for His continued blessings. It has been a tradition handed down through the years. Often the root of the celebration has been lost in cooking, eating, football, and other family traditions. No matter what  your Thanksgiving looks like this year let’s make God the center of its celebration, thanking Him for all His blessings provided in both the past and the future. 

What To Do in Time of Uncertainty?

 

There is one thing for sure about 2020, it has been a year of uncertainty. In Ecclesiastes we are told that  you never know what will happen next.  In the same verse, we are reminded that it is easy to be thankful on good days, but in days of trouble—guess what…God created those days too. Have you ever thought about that? When I think about it, I realize that most of my growth occurred down on my knees in troubling times. Maybe that is what this year can bring into our lives—a gratefulness for spiritual growth.  So, let’s step back and ponder what we have learned in these days of difficulty. If we can share thankfulness in the good things, awesome. But if we want to make even more of an impression on others, share  thankfulness for this year and how God has used it to help you grow in challenging days.  

 

When things are going well for you, be glad, and when trouble comes, just remember: God sends both happiness and trouble; you never know what is going to happen next.( Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Building Others Up

 

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I invite you to let  those around you know how much you appreciate them. In Paul’s first century letters he began each one with an expression of thanks to the people:

In Romans he says, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world (1:8). He tells the Philippians, “I thank  my God every time I remember you" (1: 3). And he tells the church in Corinth “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1:4). 

 

Telling people thank you forms a bond and trust in your relationship. People need to know they are valued. It is a way we can encourage others and build them up. On this Thanksgiving week let others around you know  how much they mean in your life. 

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” ( Thessalonians 5:11 ESV).

Forget the Past

 

Do you ever find yourself spending time replaying your past? And then before you know it, you have failed  to live and move into the present. Someone once said, “The past should be a springboard not a hammock.” Satan would like nothing better than to hold you hostage to focusing on your past sins, errors, and mistakes.  Paul reminds us to forget the past and look forward to what is ahead.

 

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize. (Philippians 3: 13-14)

 

When you find yourself rehashing your past failings, ask God to help you bury those thoughts and to give you the will and the tools you will  need to succeed, the dreams and the vision to show you the way, and the wisdom to turn any curse into a blessing. Lean on our Lord for direction, and then continue to lean on Him for wisdom and courage to finish the race before you! 

The Bible has a lot to say about the way we speak and often warns us to be careful with the words we use:

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  (Proverbs 18: 21) “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)

 

Tongues can be the end of friendships, careers, marriages, reputations and even life. Tongues can also reconcile people and make peace. Tongues can reunite marriages, families, friends and even countries. Sometimes biting one's tongue and reaching  for peace is to be commended. In Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Each day we must ask ourselves what is filling our heart?  For Jesus also said, “Out of the abundance of the heart [the mouth]  speaks” (Luke 6:45). We all know that an ungrateful heart breeds grumbling, a self-righteous heart produces judgement, and a bitter heart brings about meanness. None of which represents the life of Jesus. Instead let’s fill our hearts with “…joy, peace,  forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5: 22-23).

Be Careful What You Think

 

We live in a culture that is pulling us in every direction. In today’s verse Paul is telling us to be careful with our thoughts. Don’t let this fallen world reel you in, rather keep your focus on God  who will transform you into a new person—changing the way you think.

 

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12: 2)

 

In this process we are being changed into the image and likeness of Christ, as we abide in Him and He in us. It is a lifelong process that requires daily vigilance. In order to become more like Him we must spend time with Him. It may  mean walking away from other things that affect our thinking such as TV or social media and delving into His word. In getting to know Him better,  His thoughts begin to become a part of our thinking and over time we look more and more like Him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Careful What You Watch

 

Jonathan Rothwell writes an article entitled “You Are What You Watch? The Social Effects of TV”.  In  the article he tells us that other than sleeping and working, Americans are more likely to watch television than engage in any other  activity. In addition,  he points out that there is new evidence that viewing habits can affect your thinking, political preference, even cognitive ability. If that is the case, we must ask ourselves,  what am  I watching and how is it affecting my thinking and shaping my thoughts and  decisions?   It sounds as if the words of David in the Old Testament were a warning to beware of what we watch when he says:    “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me…” (Psalm 101: 3 ESV)    Yesterday we saw how the Bible warned us to be careful of what we listen to. Today we are warned to be careful  of  what we see. In this psalm we see King David’s devotion to integrity. He understood the importance of guarding what he “set before his eyes” because setting our gaze on worthless or wicked things or people can provide space to gain a foothold in our lives. Unless we guard our eyes and compare everything we see and hear against the Word of God, we will place our attitudes in the hands of the wrong realm. Attachments area ReplyReply allForward

Be Careful What you Listen T0

 

Yesterday we looked at several things the Bible tells us to be careful about. One of those is to be careful what you listen to. The verse we considered was from 2 Timothy:

 

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4: 3-4)  

 

The verses that proceed these verses tell about the importance of sound teaching of the truth, because we are warned that in time—truth is rejected.  That is what was happening in Ephesus where Timothy was during this time. Sound doctrine is the wholesome truth of Scripture and teaches a transformation of life in the name of Jesus Christ. 

 

But more and more Timothy found that teachers were telling the people what they would  like to hear. People wanted a teacher to suit their own desires. Instead of wanting to hear the truth they preferred novelty.  Truth is found in the teachings of  living a holy life, worshipping our Lord and Savior, and learning to be like Him as the salt and light to others in the world and then sharing His great salvation story with others. When we get off on secondary issues, we tend to wander instead. 

 

The Apostle Paul would caution all of us to keep the goal of life transformation the primary driver behind why we do what we do.

Even when the people we are speaking to are more interested in novelty than truth, we stay the course for Jesus!

 

Be Careful

Yesterday we talked about how all of the adverse happenings and  overwhelming news can negatively affect us. If we are not careful this can be  harmful.   The Bible repeatedly reminds us to be cautious about what we listen to, what we see, what we think about, and how we speak.  Here are a few verses you may want to place in your arsenal:

 

 Be careful what you hear “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

Be careful what you see –“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6: 22)

 “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless…” (Psalm 101: 3a)

Be careful with your thoughts-- “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” (Proverbs 4: 23) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12: 2)

 Be careful with your words – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  (Proverbs 18: 21) “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) 

Let’s focus the eyes of our heart on Christ— and as we are directed throughout scripture—take control of our thoughts and imaginations and  let the mind of Jesus dwell in us richly. Have a blessed week!

God's Presence in Our Midst

 

Yesterday we talked about finding God in  the midst of our busy lives.  I vowed to turn off the news  and social media for the next few days and  try to be more focused on God’s presence in my midst. When we look, it is amazing what we find. I found God in the ladies at our church diligently packing boxes filled with warm food. I observed God in a homeless man who came to the kitchen door looking for something to eat.  When I delivered meals to a man who recently lost his sight, I saw God in his smile. Last  night I noticed God in the children as they silently sat as the Word of God was read. And when I  was putting gas in my car, I looked up and there it was an unexpected rainbow in the sky—a reminder of God’s covenant to never flood the earth again:

 

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Genesis 9: 12-13)

 

For God truly is in expected and unexpected places. Today let’s be alert to God’s presence and  continue to see Him in our daily walk.  

 

How do we find God in our busy daily lives? If we encounter God on Sunday’s alone we will be seriously lacking and incomplete. But sometimes  in the grind of life, God seems far away. We are so easily distracted by the report that must be in at a certain time, meetings here and there,  running errands, getting the kids to soccer, fixing the car and the list goes on. Then how can we discover God in the busyness of life?

 

Maybe we fail to really look for God. For God is in expected and unexpected places: the sunrise, the changing leaves, a baby’s laughter, the eyes of a stranger, the wisdom of our elders, the smile of a child— just to name a few. Today let’s be alert to God around us—let us look beyond the ordinary happenings and press on to know him more intimately!

 

"Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him! Then he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." (Hosea 6:3)