thoughts...

Good quote from a book I'm currently reading: "Your reactions define who you really are inside and what you really believe at your core level." -Pearl

What are my views on life? How do I react when those views are challenged? Matthew 12:34 says “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” The thoughts of my heart are going to come out at some point, whether I want them to or not. If my mouth is going to speak out of the abundance of my heart, I want to make sure I fill my heart with good things. I am responsible for what I put or allow into it. I can control what I watch, read, and listen to. All of this is will show up in my reactions and everyday conversations.

If I have a favorite TV show I watch every day, I will probably think about it and talk about it. Whatever is on this show is going to come up in my conversation. I will think about the views, thoughts, and actions portrayed there. However, if I am constantly memorizing and meditating on Scripture, chances are, Scripture is what will come up often in my thoughts and conversation.

What happens when my views are challenged? If I have been watching a lot of TV, I may react to this challenge how I have seen others on TV react, probably w/o even consciously thinking about it. If I have been filling my heart with Scripture, that is most likely what will come to my mind and be spoken when my views are challenged.

Proverbs 23:7 states, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Another quote from the book I’m reading states “The way you think determines how you will feel, and how you feel influences the way you will act.” Statistics say that people think approximately 40,000 thoughts a day. How many of my thoughts are for good, pleasing to the Lord? Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” How many of my thoughts are for evil or selfish? Romans 12:2 says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. My actions come from my thoughts. So if I change my thoughts, my actions and reactions will change.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The thoughts in this post, that make up a few of my 40,000 for today, have been challenging to me. I hope God’s truths have challenged you too, and inspire you to greater thoughts and actions. :)