Which Comes First?

There is an old mystery often asked, “Which came first? The chicken or the egg!” 

     I actually have no answer, but in reading my devotional about the words that come from my mouth in the way of gossip or words that injure others, I questioned, “What comes first? The heart or the thoughts before I speak. 

     Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Then I found in Mark 7:21a, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts…”

     Therefore, I conclude, my thoughts, good or bad, first come from my heart before I think them and then spew them carelessly rom my mouth. 

     Since my heart needs the work, I pray this morning Luke 6:45, O Lord, “Let the words of my mouth and the medication of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” 

 

Woke Up Rich

 I woke up this morning to a funny text message showing the image of a little girl with a sleepy face holding a cup with the quote, "Really had my heart set on waking up rich today." It seemed funny, and I instantly had the negative thought, "That's the story of my life." 
     After that I flipped to my morning devotional which was about the man who was so rich he had to build bigger barns for his abundant crops thinking that now he could take his ease, eat, drink, and be merry but lost his soul that very night. 
     My negative thought about the funny text changed, because I am rich. I have Jesus, and He is the greatest treasure I could ever hope to gain. Therefore, I would have to change the quote with the little girl holding the cup to, "I woke up rich today!" 

     God works in wondrous ways to set a happy pace for our days! We just have to look for it.

What a Day Brings

As I began the day, I have to take a moment to ask myself a few questions: 

What kind of life do I want to live? 

What do I want my character to show? 

Who do I want to please? 

How will I obtain results? 

Actions to Rate

If all the world’s a stage,

O, let me turn a graceful page. 

Let my actions bring positive results

Which follow me as an aging adult.

Let me make a difference

By who I wish to please and appease. 

Let good actions mount, 

For it’s to God, I give account. 

Let each deed bring a good affect;

Like good-will and respect.

Let my talk carry weight.

For at the end of day, 

In God’s good grace, I wish to rate? 

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  2/27/2023 

 

 

 

 

C.O.U.R.T

     Changing a path of regret takes adhering to God's guidance.  I was reminded about H.A.L.T. which stands for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired when I read one of my devotionals this morning.  The devotional was using H.A.L.T to make us aware of the mental state we do not need to be in when approaching choices.  The devotional stated that "it is well worth waiting until a more favorable time."  

     After that I read a different devotional which talked about how our thoughts effect our life decisions.  Since the H.A.L.T. acronym hit home, I decided to come up with one about my thoughts and the renewing of my mind into a spiritually, life-changing thinking pattern.  What I came up with was C.O.U.R.T.  First, I will start with Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your affections.  For they influence everything else in your life."  Another version is, "Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts."  
     So, I have to think about my thoughts and how they make me feel in order to change them.  Talk it over- Do my thoughts make me feel bad? Do I like my thoughts?  Do I want to change my thinking? 

My acronym is C.O.U.R.T. my thoughts.

 

C- onfront, challenge, change your thoughts

O-bey God’s Word in your thinking
U-tilize God’s Word instead of the World’s
R-ework, renew negative thoughts into positive ones
T-hink about how your thoughts make you feel- Transform them.

The Mind

     The mind is powerful!  It's a tool to a healthy lifestyle, and a light to the personality.  
          My thoughts create within me courage, meekness, and determination. 
          My thoughts turn negatives into positive attitudes, creating happiness and well-being.
          My thoughts are what make me a more loving individual and a willing forgiver.
          My thoughts assist in turning enemies into friends.
          My thoughts help to see the other side, and makes for a less critical nature.
     In essence, my mindful thoughts make me who I am and what I am.  My actions from these thoughts can have an impact on not only changing me for the better, but also changing others.
     By creating healthy thoughts, I can show my light to the world.  Matthew 5:16, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
     I am reminded about courage which is developed from healthy thoughts.  In Numbers 13:30 "Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."   Caleb had positive thoughts, courageous thoughts, and determined thoughts.  All the others were frightened, and most said, "We can't...We are not strong enough."  This led to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.   I have to interject that the people were right when they said, "We are not strong enough."  They needed to trust in God to make them strong.  The mind is not powerful enough to do all that is required to develop a healthy mindful approach to life without God first in our thoughts. 
     The question I have to ask myself is, "Where will my mind lead me today?  Will I let God be first in my thoughts?  Will I trust enough to 'let go and let God' strengthen my mind and mature my thoughts"

     Psalm 10:4 "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." 
     Psalm 13:2  "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?"