Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
07/08/2020
Randall Caselman
A Better Way Of Thinking
We are what we think, what we think we become. It was Solomon who wrote: "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23.7). We determine the people and person we are by the way we think, what we run through our mind molds our heart.
Indeed, our actions begin with thoughts! The Bible clearly teaches that our thinking and our heart are inseparably linked together. Jesus confirmed this idea in Matthew 15.19; "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lying, slander." Evil hearts lead to evil deeds, good thoughts lead to good behavior. This truth was pointed out in Genesis chapter six in the time of Noah: "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every thought and intent of his heart was evil continually" (Genesis 6.5). Bottom line is that we must take responsibility for our thoughts day-by-day, moment-by-moment.
Let's get started day-by-day...
SUNDAY - Choose to Meet the Lord on His Terms.
It's easy for us to choose to be like Frank Sinatra 'Do it our way.' We want to do what we choose, and then when life doesn't turn out right, we wonder why. Church, we must choose to think like Jesus: Have His disposition, His behavior, Conform to His image. Amazing isn't it that we have our Creator's Life's Operation Manuel in our hands, plus an example set by His Son, yet we think we know a better way to live? We don't! "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Proverbs 3.6 & Colossians 3.1-3).
MONDAY - Choose to be Pleasant with Others.
Greet everyone we meet with a smile and kind words. We are not likely to greet others with a smile unless we have one hidden inside our heart. The Jews of old greeted one another with Shalom! "Peace!" We would do well to greet one another with a similar kind word for the day. Think about this, how would we greet others if we understood that this was the last day we had together. "God so loved the world! So must we. So must we.
Tuesday - Choose to Forgive & Forget!
I gotta tell you, life will be so much better if we will just forget the hurt, and forgive the hurter. Become like Jesus, know that forgiveness only takes one, and that our forgiving enables our own forgiveness. "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you, But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" "When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins”(Matthew 6.14-15 & Mark 11.25).
Wednesday - Choose to be in the Word.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." "Study to show yourself approved before God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy3.16-17 & 2 Timothy 2.15). We cannot become like Jesus if we don't know his heart, attitude, disposition and behavior.
THURSDAY - Choose to Encourage & Comfort.
Our world is hurting. Vow to find someone who needs a kind word, a good deed: The downtrodden, the disenfranchised, poor, sick, depressed, the hurting in our acquaintance. Then let our thoughts of sympathy turn to empathy, a behavior: Perhaps a phone call, a visit, a card, a gift. Remember! "We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2.10).
FRIDAY - Choose Gratitude!
We must stop our worrying, fretting, thinking negatively. Instead of focusing upon our hurts, focus on the good things in life. Count our blessings, "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear, Life is more important than food, and the body more important than clothes." "O you of little faith!""For the pagans run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them" (1 Peter 5.7 & Matthew 6.23-34).
SATURDAY - Choose to Think Biblically:
"Finally,brothers, 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." "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will" (Philippians 4.8 & Romans 12.2).
Well – How different our life would be if we practiced such Biblical thinking and behavior each day of the week. Listen! It starts with us, you and me; not the Eldership, not the Deaconate, the Preachers, Teachers, Ministry Leaders, but with each of us individually. We gotta ask how am I doing?... How is MY thinking? Our individual challenge comes from Solomon: "Above all else, guard your heart, keep it with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4.23). May God give us A Better Way Of Thinking, Amen?
—Randall Caselman
