CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY MAY 9, 2020.

SUBJECT : CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Memory verse: "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life." (Proverbs 4 vs 23.)

READ: Luke Luke 6 vs 43 - 45:

6:43: For a good tree does not bear bad fruit; nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

6:44: For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from of a bramble bush.

6:45: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good: and evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

INTIMATION:

To change your life, you must change the way you think. Behind everything you do is a thought. Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude. God revealed this thousands of years before psychologists understood it.

Our speech and actions reveal our true underlying beliefs, attitudes, and motivations. The good impressions we try to make cannot last if we are being deceptive. What is in your heart will come out in your speech and behavior, and thus showcases your underlying beliefs, attitude and motivation. We should guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will help us be on the right path. 

Your life cannot be changed by willpower, it can only be changed by your thought process, and the help of the Spirit of God. We have seen people make new year's resolutions that are forgotten in a few days. This is a clear indication that your willpower, and best intentions are not enough. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God desires to make in our lives. I have seen people say, "I'll force myself to eat less, exercise more, quit being disorganized and late." Yes, willpower can produce short-term changes, but it creates constant internal stress because you haven't dealt with the root cause—your thinking. The change doesn't feel natural, so eventually you give up, and revert to your old patterns. 

The better and easier way to change your life is to change the way you think, and this is your very first step in spiritual growth. Change always starts first in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. The apostle Paul, in Romans 12 vs 2, says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Let God, through His Spirit, transform you into a new person by changing, with your cooperation, the way you think. There must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4 vs 23).

To be like Christ you must develop the mind of Christ. The New Testament calls this mental shift repentance, which in Greek literally means "to change your mind." You repent whenever you change the way you think by adopting how God thinks; about yourself, sin, God, other people, life, your future, and everything else. You take on Christ's outlook and perspective. 

The apostle Paul divides people into two categories; those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful natures, and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would have been in the first category if Jesus hadn't offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to focus our lives on God. The Scripture gives us God's guidelines, and we should discover them and follow it. I advise, as a guide, to ask yourself this question when faced with a perplexing situation; "What would Jesus want me do?" When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit. Let the spirit of Christ dwell in me richly that I may renew my mind and think like Him in all I do, in the mighty Name of Jesus I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!