Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Words of Encouragement

When you look at the sky above, do you ever wonder, "there is more above than my eyes can even see". It makes me think that God you are far grander than I can even image. God's greatness searches our hearts, and he determines if our life is being lived according to his will. (Picture by James S. Williams)

"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." - Jeremiah 17:10



What are You Thinking? Examined Thoughts. The scripture says God examines our heart and mind. Do you wonder why he examines both? I had one of my professors write a comment on my paper last week and It is fitting to give you the meaning of that quote here. He said that the decline of the preacher starts first in the head before it gets to the heart. In other words, it is what a man thinks, that is who he is or will become.

If my thoughts are evil, do you not know that eventually my life will follow? Yet, if my thoughts are pure, then my life will begin to follow. I will no longer feel good in sin, because the thoughts I am having are being changed.

It is important to God what is in our hearts and our minds. He says he will examine them and according to what is there, he will give to us. If it is blessings, blessings we will receive, if it is punishment or chastisement, then punishment or chastisement.

Today, let us ask God, examine my thoughts. If there is anything there that should not be, please Lord we ask that you remove. If we are not walking as you would want us to, help us to align our hearts and mind to your way. So that we can become a man (or woman) that is thinking your thoughts and becoming the vessels of honor you have built us to be.