What Do You Think?

Thoughts are very important. The following well-known quote makes this point very well:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become your character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

What we think, we become.

There is a direct connection between our words and our destiny.  Throughout the Word of God, we find instructions regarding our thought life.  Invariably, when we are experiencing a lack of peace, it is because we have been focusing our attention on negativity.  Philippians 4:8 gives us the recipe for maintaining a peaceful thought life, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” No matter what is going on in our lives, there is no productivity in dwelling on it and allowing our spirits to become heavy and distracted.  Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God will keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on Him, not our problems. Instead of continually thinking on our problems, we must follow the instructions in Philippians 4:8 and use that as a filter for every thought that comes to our mind.

Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as we think in our heart, so are we.  That is confirmation that our thoughts really do impact our destiny.  What is important to realize is that we have authority over our thoughts.  Just because thoughts come doesn’t mean we have to entertain them or act upon them.  2 Corinthians 10:5 states, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV)  We do this by speaking the Word of God.  When thoughts enter our mind that do not line up with the will of God, we speak the Word in response.  I love the example that I have heard used to illustrate this point.  The speaker tells the audience to start counting to 10 or some other number in their head.  At some point he tells them to speak their name out loud.  He then shows them that their thoughts had to stop once their mouth spoke.  In the same manner, we interrupt negative thoughts by speaking the Word.  There have been times when the assault against my mind has been so severe that I have stopped whatever I was doing and said out loud, “Shut up Satan, those are not my thoughts!”  Then I would speak words that countered the negative thoughts. We have to do whatever it takes to keep our thoughts in line with the Word of God.

What thoughts have you been thinking that have brought on stress, worry, insecurity, etc., in your life? Maybe you felt heaviness in your spirit and you didn't know why.  Check the thought traffic that has been allowed to roam freely in your head.  The more we dwell on wrong thoughts, the greater the likelihood that we will speak negatively and put those thoughts into action.  Take a thought assessment this week. Make a commitment to watch what you think and focus on changing any unhealthy thought patterns.  All it takes is a quality decision.  Change your thoughts…change your life!

NEW AND IMPROVED!

This week I have been meditating on 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” I especially like the way this reads in the Amplified Version: “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” I reflected on the fact that we are not refurbished. When I think of something being refurbished, I think of an item that was old, damaged, broken or no longer functional being restored to useful condition. With the right skills, knowledge, or creativity, some things can be made to look brand new.Take computers for instance. You can purchase one that is sold as refurbished. This means that it was originally purchased and later returned. Once returned, it was sent for repairs where it could be restored to like-new condition.

While I have no problem purchasing something that has been refurbished, that is not the case with our redemption. God did not take the mess we were in and renovate and restore us to like-new condition. We were re-created and given new life! Therefore when the devil comes to condemn us and remind us of our past, we simply inform him that the person he is referring to is dead. Our old man was crucified with Jesus (Romans 6:6). As stated in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Some may say, “I know I was a new creature when I was born again, but I've messed up since then.” That’s the beauty of the grace of God. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  No matter what we have done or will do, when we go to God in true repentance, he wipes our slate clean and doesn’t even remember our sins (Hebrews 8:12). If God doesn’t remember them, why should we once we are forgiven?

In Revelation 12:10, the devil is referred to as the “accuser of the brethren.” That is his mode of operation. Our defense against this tactic of the enemy is the Word of God.  When he assaults us with flashbacks of our past, we assault him with, “It is written…”! That is why it is important for us to know who we are in Christ. We are not second rate, low quality refurbishments. We are new creations who have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

I enjoy looking at renovation projects such as old houses that have been restored and upgraded. I love to watch the Extreme Makeover shows to see projects like this unfold. The best episodes are when they bring in the bulldozers to tear down the house completely and build a new house from the ground. That’s the kind of work that was done is us. Our spiritual “house” was not simply remodeled; we were made brand new. We experienced the first “extreme makeover.”  Give thanks to God today for the new and improved you!

The Curse of Perfectionism

OK, maybe that title is a bit strong, but being a perfectionist can be down right debilitating. The quest for perfection can cause us to do nothing for fear that we can't do it "just right." Then there are times when we decide to step out and do something and end up struck by the "paralysis of analysis." I am learning day by day that the key to overcoming these stifling scenarios is to just do it! Notice I said learning, not learned. I have not arrived, but at least I'm on my way.

Take this blog, for instance. I came up with one excuse after another as to why I shouldn't or couldn't do it. "What if I make mistakes?" (Huge deal for the editor in me!) "What if no one reads it." "You don't know how to do this." On and on the doubts flooded my mind. Freedom and release came from the Word of God. One verse stands out from Ecclesiastes 11:4, "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." In other words, if we look at what we see (or go by what we feel), we may never do anything.

With regard to doing it perfectly, that's an unattainable goal to start with because Jesus is the only one who has arrived!

One key to freedom in this area is being free from people-pleasing. Our utmost desire always has to be to please God and Him only. If anyone else is pleased in the process, that's a bonus. Colossians 3:23-24 states, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

This can certainly present a challenge in our social media focused society. Everybody wants to be friended, liked, followed or tagged. There is nothing wrong with any of these things as long as they do not become our motivation. 

The bottom line is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Where He guides, He always provides the provision, grace and enablement for us. It's not about perfection; it's actually about trusting God. We're clay in the hands of the potter and He is the perfect sculptor.

So break the curse of perfectionism and just step out and do it!