Monday, September 29, 2008

Words of Encouragement

The things we can think of!  As we allow the desires of our minds to grow, we want more things that would please our fleshly desires.  If we are not careful those desires that may not start off bad, can grow and pick up speed!  Like this fast car, we can look around and our fleshly desires can speed away from us.  Are we being mindful?

The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. - Genesis 6:4-6

What's On Your Mind?  Unholy Thoughts.  What a statement to be made about man. God looked upon the face of the earth and he saw the wickedness and it grieved his heart.  He saw mans heart and his thoughts.

The scripture says that man's every thought was evil all the time.  What was so evil about the thoughts of man?  It was said to be evil not by man's standards but by God.  Whenever man thinks about himself and not about the things of God, God says that is evil.  It may not start off being evil, but when the mind of man becomes fixated on himself, his thoughts begin to turn to thoughts that fulfill the desires of the flesh. Even the things we believe are good, are evil in the sight of God if they are not in line with what he tells us to do.

I do not know about anyone else, but surely I would never want to be in a place where God looks at me and says I grieve him.  I do not want to grieve him because my thoughts are selfish.  You know the kinds of thoughts, "I am only worried about my cares and concerns and I do not have time for anyone else but myself."  You know the thoughts that dwell on me and what has happened to me or about my circumstances.  Instead, even in the midst of my own difficulties, I want to dwell on the goodness of God.  I want to think about his goodness, his mercy and all his attributes so that I can stand in his favor.

Man was wicked.  Man's thoughts were wicked, which lead to wicked deeds, which leads to death.  I do not want to die a senseless death because of foolishness of the heart or mind.  Instead, Lord today we ask you to help us to be mindful of your desire for your children.  Help us to have your thoughts. Lord think through us, give us your thoughts so that we will not sin against you.

Today, Lord we want to change.  All thoughts that would lead us away from you we release them into your hands this day, so that we can have our minds renewed.  Touch us and regulate us, amen.