Just a Thought

Well, yesterday was Super Tuesday.  We got to see some tempers flair, some people show their true selves, and others throw out garbage on the internet through social media.  I don't even need to share the headlines because I am sure you have seen all of them and then some.  

A friend of mine shared a thought that during the Republican debate the other day we saw history made.  Not history that would be in textbooks, or history that would make us proud.  But entertainment history.  She said that the debates were like watching a reality TV show where people simply are not mature enough to handle themselves and argued like a bunch of "fools" throwing meaningless insults at one another.  As a matter of fact, it was reported that there was really nothing of substance discussed as the candidates just spewed off foolish drivel toward one another.  One candidate even asked to be insulted so he could join the conversation.

Then there was the vote last night.  After the vote, there were clearly hurt egos as candidates continued to hurl slurs at one another.  There are very few people who are not dismayed by this behavior.  But...the vote is not done.  It is not over yet. Primary elections have to be completed throughout the United States.  With that in mind I just can't help but encourage people to vote with their eyes wide open.  Pastor Joyce shares some insight into the heart of the man.  Maybe as we choose our candidates, we need to ask who they are, what they believe, and what they are really saying.  Check out what she writes considering our thoughts and our actions. 

Just a Thought March 3

Solomon in all his wisdom penned the words in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...” Thousands of thoughts pass through our minds daily; we cannot stop them from coming but we can choose whether they will enter our heart or not.  Most thoughts are benign until they are entertained; the way we entertain them will bring us either life or death; a hardened or softened heart.

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.” 

(Established means firmly fixed, unshakable, unmovable); therefore we can build a positive stronghold. This takes work and is a possibility for every believer.  We say, “Whose report will you believe? We will believe the report of the Lord.  In order to believe the report of the Lord we must know what that report is and receive it, speak it, and meditate on it until it moves from a thought and takes residence in the heart.

Paul in the first chapter of Ephesians says that when God raised Christ from the dead he, “…seated Him (Christ) at  His (The Father’s) right hand in heavenly places, far above all principalities and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”  He goes on to state in Chapter 2:6, “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

What that means to us is that every bit of authority Christ has imparted to Him in that right hand position is ours also.  It is in this place that we are given the thoughts of God toward any matter that affects the world we live in. 

Every thought that is contrary to what God’s word says is either from our own opinion or that of the enemy. That is why the Spirit says we must , “Cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captive to the obedience of Christ.” Ponder that!