WHADDA ‘YA THINKIN’?

According to most of the experts in the area of human motivation, Fear, Money, Sex, and Power are the top four.

Of the positive motivators, Power seems to win hands-down.

And yet, (just consider this for a moment) the only things over which we humans can have absolute power ARE our thoughts. If you can, figure that one out.

Do we really understand the role our thoughts play in everything, everything we do?

Well, GOD certainly does. It has to be why in the Epistle the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church we have these words:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Romans 12:2)

Most likely, this is a passage I am sure you have read many times. It was one of those verses I was required to memorize at an early age, But sadly, I failed to recognize how directly applicable it was to my thought life.

In his magnificent devotional MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, Oswald Chambers puts the thought life part of the renewing process in what was, at least for me, a life-changing perspective.

GOD makes us holy that we may stand innocent before HIM. Then we have to turn that innocence into Holy Character through the moral choices we make.

….the moral choices we make. Those moral choices begin with thought thoughts that work to transform our fleshly nature into a new spiritual nature.

And one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of this is that once we commit to this path, the Holy Spirit steps in and helps us.

OK, then, how does this work? What does it look like?

When I rise are my first thoughts of that day thoughts of gratitude to GOD for who HE is, for HIS love and providence, and the new day HE has given OR, are they dominated by all the things I have to accomplish on that day?

Am I closely monitoring my thoughts? Do I have a plan for exterminating all the ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) that are constantly bombarding me and replacing them with positive thoughts?

Do my moral choices glorify GOD?

Is my greatest problem not being able to run out of things for which to be grateful?

Regardless of my circumstances, do I find myself praising GOD for HIS promise that all things will work together for good to those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose?

Am I intentionally developing holy habits? Have I committed to ruthlessly disciplining my thoughts?

Am I recalling those words of the Apostle Paul to the saints in Philippi:

whatever things are true, are noble, are just, are pure, are lovely, are of good report, and if there is any virtue or anything praiseworthy, THINK ON THESE THINGS and the GOD of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8,9)

If I want to become the person GOD created me to be; if I want to know and prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of GOD; it looks like these are things I need to seriously consider.

OH! REALLY? Hmm