Pastor's Ponderings, April 7, 2020

Choose God’s Way of Thinking

An April 7, 2020 Washington Post article was entitled, “A man feared his longtime girlfriend had covid-19, which she didn’t. They died in a murder-suicide, police say.” Merely what they thought about, considered, and focused on led to this sad affair.  One may conclude that how people think may be a factor in dealing with challenges in their life.

The Bible says, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).  God further commands us to think thoughts that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report (Philippians 4:8). We can be in perfect peace if we choose to focus on God (Isaiah 26:3). The Bible also says that a merry heart is good like a medicine while a broken spirit dries the bones (Proverbs 17:22).  Whatever one is thinking eventually comes out of one’s mouth and death and life are in the power of our tongues (Luke 6:45, Proverbs 18:21).  We can joyfully think on God’s benefits towards us since all of His thoughts toward us are for our good and to uplift us. He has something good in store for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

It is easy to follow the world’s thinking about anything. Political leaders want us to think well of them and vote for them. Advertisers are eager to have us to think positively about their products so their profit margins can increase.  However, the evil one wants us to despair, be worried, become depressed, and anxious to make us vulnerable to the scary things of the world. However, the Bible says for us not to be anxious about anything and to let God’s peace rule our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7). You may be caught up with the stinking thinking of the world about any terrible things that are happening.  But God wants us to put our hope in eternal things rather than on things of the earth (2 Corinthians 4:18).  Let’s think God’s thoughts today.

Proverbs 23:7
King James Version (KJV)

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

Philippians 4:8
King James Version (KJV)

8 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.

Isaiah 26:3
King James Version (KJV)

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Proverbs 17:22
King James Version (KJV)

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Luke 6:45
New International Version (NIV)

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Proverbs 18:21
New International Version (NIV)

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Jeremiah 29:11 

New International Version (NIV)

11 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.

Philippians 4:6-7
New International Version (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:18
New International Version (NIV)

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.