Ponder

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8(NIV) 

What does it mean to ponder? Perhaps to think on or mull over. When we think a certain way our speech and actions tend to follow. Our thoughts can be positive or they can be negative. They can bring joy or they can bring sorrow. Irrational thinking can often lead to great despair. There have been times in my own life when I started dwelling on things that tended to cause me to put myself down, Satan sure loves to make us feel unworthy or  like a tiny little worthless creature. I have news for you! We are created by God for His purposes. He does not make junk. 

Just as this verse above says, it is very key that a person stay focused on things above and good. This would mean you probably need to start your day with getting into God's word. You can choose to read the newspaper and get all upset about the world situation or you can choose to start the day out with the love  of God and peace He alone can bring. 

PRAYER: I want my mind to be pondering on your goodness and not worry about doomsday. I choose Lord to read your word and help me not make excuses why I have no time to do this. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY

The other day when I wrote about SNACKS VERSUS A MAIN COURSE one reader said she knew what I was getting at but said she liked little snacks of nourishment throughout her day too. She had a valid point. Sometimes healthy snacks are good throughout the day. I thought about that for a moment and said "Yes that is true. We need to be thinking of Christ throughout our day." By this I mean we need to start the day with prayer and throughout the day to think of Him.

You just do not "gobble him up" in one sitting on Sunday and that is that till the following week but you seek out His nourishment throughout the week on a daily basis and sometimes several times throughout your day.

For instance when you are in your car you can be singing praises or praying. Obviously you would not shut your eyes to pray but you can "talk" to God wherever you are. Remain in an "attitude" of prayer. You could have a good praise and worship station on your radio in the background while at home. Try to stay focused on good things and keep your thoughts "above".

Obviously Satan will attempt to throw you curve balls to get you messed up but resist Him. Try to get in a regular habit of taking the first part of each day to have a quiet time. It may take some creative scheduling on your part especially if you have children at home or have a job to go to. When you start doing this ,wait and see if you don't start feeling lifted up in your spirit. Enjoy "snacking" on Jesus throughout your day each and every day.

Colossians 3:1-2(NIV) says 'Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.'

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I choose this day to stay in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. I know when I sing your praises the enemy has to flee. Thanks for the freedom I have to read and own a Bible. Forgive me for neglecting it at times. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SPEAK AND THINK GOOD THINGS

 Do you often get in a negative mindset? Let's say you feel a sense of
doom and gloom and you talk about it. Maybe you talk about your
problems. You dwell on bad stuff and fears and therefore talk about
them. A feeling of despair comes over you. Why? Because of your words.
Words are something we all have to watch. If you continually speak
about the negative things in life and stuff that frightens you, it
stands to reason you would be stuck in a defeated state of mind that
would drag you right down in a pit. Our thoughts and our speech should
be the kind that glorifies God.

Proverbs 18:21(NIV) says 'Death and life are in the power of the
tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.' Simply
stated, what you continually talk about is what you get. If your mind
dwells on a consistent diet of bad thoughts then those thoughts often
are of elected in our speech.
>
If this is an area you struggle with why not use this brand new year
to purpose in your heart to only let good thoughts and good things
come from your mouth. Luke 6:45(NIV) says 'The good man brings good
things out of the goodness stored in his heart,and the evil man brings
evil things out of the evil stored in his heart. For out of the
overflow of the heart,the mouth speaks.'
>
> Our enemy, Satan,thrives in seeing believers all weak and caught up in wrong thinking, worry, and despair. When we are like this we become weak and powerless and almost disabled for the kingdom of God. Right now speak out loud to your enemy,Satan, and tell him you are a child of God and you want him to get behind you as you are God's child.
>
> It is through meditating on God's word on a daily basis and casting off wrong thoughts that you can have victory. 1 Corinthians 15:57( NIV) reminds us of this when it says 'And thanks be to God who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Hallelujah!!
>
> PRAYER: You oh Lord are mighty and powerful and your word, the Bible , keeps me on the right track in life. There are times when I have let Satan bog me down with wrong thinking and it is mainly when I am not in constant communion with your through your word. Forgive me Lord. Guide me as each and every day I need you to fight the battles in my path that the enemy my throw at me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
>
> OTHER RESOURCES: Pastor Gregory Dickow out of Chicago, IL has a website you should check out and commit to doing if wrong thinking is a problem of yours. Go to www.thinkingfast.org and commit to changing wrong thoughts.

TONGUE CHECK

 How many of you reading this have complete control of your mouth? Do you say things you often regret or blurt out things at inappropriate times? If only that brain of ours would kick in to gear before the mouth did, how much easier life would be. We think something then say it and before you know it you wish you could take it back. Too bad we can not have some way to "check" our tongues and root out any wrong words that may accidentally come out. Usually what is in the heart the mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45(NIV) says 'The good man brings good things out of the good stored in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things from the evil stored in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.' I am not saying this to say we are all just a bunch of evil people but if you dwell on things that anger you, make you jealous, cause bitterness to your soul and create friction, then more than likely you will let someone be the recipient of ugly words.

So my friend, it is time for a "tongue check". If you know you have problems in this area ask God to fill your mind with His thoughts. Let go of things you harbor against anyone in your heart. Try to make it a practice to not gossip, belittle, curse, argue, lie, meddle, or nag. Ephesians 4:29(NIV) is a good verse to commit to memory and even when others still talk to you hateful or with disrespect you can respond in love. It says 'Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'

There you have it. Your assignment is to be nice and speak nice. Purify your thoughts and your mouth should follow. And when you get to thinking 'well I am pretty good' look out! James 1:26(NIV) reminds us 'If anyone considers himself religious but does not keep a tight rein n his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.'

Go out now and be nice!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you so very much for the ability to talk. We often do not think to say thanks for that gift as there are those who are mute who can not speak at all. What a treasure and gift it is indeed! Forgive me if I have ever used my tongue to hurt someone or said something to cause problems. Help me Lord get control of my words before I let them come out. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STOP THINKING NEGATIVE. LOOK UP!

Have you ever noticed how it is easier to complain, gossip, gripe, and basically have a negative mindset than to be positive and uplifting? The  world is filled with hate, bickering, lawsuits, confusion, revenge, fear, misunderstandings, and division but we as believers are to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness and change the negative to positive. But if we are chiming in right along then we do not make much impact.

Sure there are times things make you upset,  but it is reacting in a calm fashion and not exploding that will not only keep you peaceful but will resolve the matters more effectively.

To be able to do this you must be intentional about not being conformed to the things in the world that tend to plant bad thoughts in your head. Try to have the mind of Christ. Let me give you the Bible verse I have used numerous times in these devotions and that is Romans 12:2 which says "Do not conform anymore to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove what the will of the Lord is. His good, pefect, and pleasing will."  To do this your mind needs to be focused on God's thoughts to those of the world.  Philippians  4:8 reminds us "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things." Commit this scripture to memory. It will help you stay happy, joyful, and positive in a world of negativity around you.

Let me end with Psalm 34:14 which says "Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."

PRAYER: Father I thank you that I can choose to be positive and peaceful in a world filled with fear and chaos. When I start to despair and the enemy tries to get me to succumb to the ways of the world help me remember I can turn to you. In Jesus name. Amen

BE SATURATED BY JESUS AND NOT YOUR PROBLEM

It is pretty easy to get down in the dumps and a real case of the blahs sometimes. When things are bothering you and you dwell on  them you can easily be drawn away from God and into a pattern of worry and despair. In order to walk in faith and not by sight(2 Corinthians 5:7) you have to be intentional about staying focused on the promises in God's word. Here are  just a few to lift you up today.
I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
I will never leave the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.  Psalm 37:25
 See the lilies of the field. They neither toil nor spin yet your heavenly father takes care of them. See Matthew 6:28-32
 My God shall supply all my need through his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phillipians  4:19
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Phillipians 4:13
His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:23
Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8
You are our shelter and strength a very resent help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
He will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is stayed on thee. Isaiah 26:3
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.   Proverbs 22:6
 Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteous and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes. Romans 8:28
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we think or ask ...Ephesians 3:20

You see if you stay focused on what God says in his word and less about the passing concerns of this world you will have a more joyful and fruitful life.

PRAYER: Lord help me resist listening to the enemy when he tries to get me down and discouraged. Help me Lord to run to you for you are my shelter and strength. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to worship God in song: http://youtu.be/B0oZ6BZlQWk

TRAGEDY UNEXPLAINED

After yesterdays horrific shooting spree in a suburban Denver theater I decided to change my topic for today. First my heart goes out to the parents of the shooter. You do not hear that on TV. When I was watching this unfold yesterday while working out at the gym, not one time did I hear anyone on television news broadcasts say "let's pray" but all I heard were things like "the government was working on it" and "mental health was there to help." They may have mentioned this after I left but not while I was there. If you  are a parent imagine the pain, blame and suffering they are going through and wondering about  the 'whys'. This young man's actions hurt and killed many but no one would have classified him, a doctoral student, as a mass murderer.Something was obviously troubling him.

 What causes this? My first guess is that we allow violent entertainment into our homes in the form of video games, television programs, music,  and allow children to go to movies like Dark Knight. Among the  deceased I heard was a 6 years old!  The Batman I grew up watching on television was harmless and fun. None of this glorified movie violence like you see today and sensuality. But 'cute' programs and movies apparently do not sit well with those in decision making positions who crank out this unnecessary violence people seem to crave. 

My opinion is if you are a Christian  man or woman you need to watch what you take into your brain. You have heard the saying 'garbage in, garbage out'. Some will say "well men like stuff like that" and I say "what was wrong with John Wayne and the action films we had in the 60's and 70's? Some older readers may totally identify with how movies have gotten pretty raunchy.

There will be lots of speculation about this in the days to come but the main thing that is needed is prayer.Do not be guilty of judging others.  Do not get fearful to go places. Violence happens everywhere so go on about your life. Above all be careful what you watch and parents ,use common sense when selecting a movie for your young child. I do not recommend adult themed movies for grade school children. This is not about guns but this is about the condition of the human heart.
 I will leave you with a couple Bible verses and the first  is Philippians 4:8 which says "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, think on these things."  Finally remember what it says in Romans 3:23 and that is "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." In the meantime let's remember to pray for all involved in this horrible shooting and pray for the shooter as well. Let us remember to keep those affected by this in our prayers. Romans 12:15 says "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."


PRAYER: Lord God we cry out to you for the hurting families of this senseless tragedy in Colorado and even the family of the shooter. Father we ask for healing for the wounded and healing for their lives as well. Father help us be wise in what we choose to watch, listen to and read. Give us discipline in our lives so we know the right choices to make that please you.In Jesus name. Amen.

 For information on movie content from a Christian perspective check out www.pluggedin.com