A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts from Chris Musgrove of Future Now)
Scripture for the Day (February 20, 2018)
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Proverbs 23:7)
Who you are and what you do is a result of what you think. And what you think is a result of what you hear and see. I believe that’s why Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].”
The words you say contain (carry) thoughts that can bring death or life. One day I was pondering the power of thoughts and I realized that no one does anything good or bad without a thought. Some people’s reaction times to their thoughts are quicker than others, but everything we do starts with a thought. If you don’t get control of your thought life it could spell disaster. How do you get control of your thought life? By guarding your eyes and ears, because what you see and what you hear are recorded in that personal computer we call a brain, and it has lots of memory.
Romans 12:2 tells us to be not conformed to this world. In other words, don’t think like the world thinks. If you watch what the world watches and listen to what the world listens to you are conforming to the world. The world is in a constant state of worry and anxiety so that is exactly what you will be if you constantly listen to worried and anxious
people.
Philippians 4:6 tells us to not be anxious or worry about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Worry and anxiety are just thinking or meditating on your problems. Some people are so accustomed to worrying or being anxious that they wake up looking for something to worry about instead of praying with thanksgiving. The Bible has something to say about what we should think on.
Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.
II Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” This scripture came to life when I heard a preacher say, “One day my spirit caught my mind looking for something to worry about, and I shut it down.”
Look at it this way. Pretend you are in a tennis match with the Devil. He serves the ball (a thought) to you and that ball will always be something negative. It will be something to worry about, an accusation against you or someone you love, it may be a bad report, a lie about your health, etc. Now, you have a choice. You can either let that serve go, and if you do, the Devil wins the point. Or, you can knock it right back at Him with the Word of God. Your volley is with the scripture. I will believe the report of the Lord. He will supply all my needs. I will be saved and my household. He is my healer and provider and my trust will be in Him and His Word. You are a liar and the Father of Lies and I will not listen to your lies. Get thee behind me!!
You have to take the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) and you have to battle with it. That is how we overcome! Knock that ball right back at him using the Word of God. Resist the devil and he will flee!!!
