MASTERING YOUR THOUGHTS

Posted on July 30, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

I like mint chocolate chip ice cream. But this morning as we begin this new week of Freedom Fighter blogs, I don’t want you to think about creamy, green, delicious mint chocolate chip ice cream from Turkey Hill. Don’t even think about Bryer’s mint chocolate chip ice cream – my all-time favorite. It isn’t green – it’s white.

Well my guess is that like me, you will start thinking about mint chocolate chip ice cream now and you can even picture it in your mind (unless you don’t like mint chocolate chip ice cream – Chaplain Stan Marsh!!!)

Science is proving more and more what the Bible teaches about the mind. Our minds are more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend.

Our minds can be a powerful weapon for good in our life, or our minds can be the cause of turmoil and even lead us to the place of making bad decisions in our lives.

God gives you and I the ability to reprogram our minds. He could push a magic button for us, but he gives us the ability to do so as we begin to think the way He wants us to think. Here are just a couple of verses for you to ponder today:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

 ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but ^[b]divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. ⁵ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

I have a friend who began to obsess over wrong things in his mind. It became the focus of his thought life so much so that he ended up making bad choices which cost him his job and ministry.

My preacher friend and Keswick speaker, Harold Vaughn, shared these insights about mastering your mind

Stop allowing your mind to “go off the deep end” into doomsday thinking. Assuming the worst possible conclusion is not the fruit of faith. Neither is it healthy for your mind, emotions, body, and spirit.

Second, steer clear of the “dark side.” You can’t afford to entertain melancholy thoughts. Instead of reminiscing over your pain, ruminate over your gains. You must deliberately choose to dwell on your blessings rather than your losses.

‘As a man thinks, so is he.’ This means your thoughts define you. Your thoughts are powerful. They predict your future. What you become in life is the consequence of the thoughts you dwell upon day by day. You must lasso those renegade thoughts, and take them captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Your mind must master emotions and not the other way around. As you verbally THANK GOD for your advantages, you are programming your mental outlook with faith.

Life’s battle is primarily IN the mind. And you can win by studiously refusing harmful thoughts and carefully choosing the right ones.

A good exercise for you and me would be to shake the dust off our old concordance, and for all of you who live to use on-line Bible programs, check out what the Bible has to say about the use of our minds. I think you might be a little surprised about what you will learn.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5.

Overflowing and abounding with hope,

 

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 54-58 |You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “If your mind is filled with the Word of God, then it can’t be filled with impure thoughts.” – David Jeremiah

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes. Proverbs 11:7