“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7a NKJV)

You aren’t what you think you are, but what think, you are!

Zillions of success Books, how-to seminars, and motivational speakers across the planet, are telling you what to do to move your business to the highest level. Most of them are giving the same information, even often quoting each other. And, truthfully, what they say for the most part is generally true and will work if applied. But, and this is a huge “BUT,” these things will work or not work based solely on how you think deep in your mind! Therefore, if you want to change your life, you must change your thinking! That’s because it’s absolutely impossible to behave differently than your dominant thoughts! What you think about controls you; everything you do and say is the result of how you think. All of your decisions are there.

The real you 

The Bible passage at the top, our promise verse of the day, says that what you think about in your heart is the real you. Another passage says, “Out of a man’s heart, so he speaks (Matt. 12:34). And the following verse puts it this way: “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matt. 12:35 NASB).  

You must fix the mental governor in your head!

Many years ago, when our children were still at home, for our family vacation, we would rent a house on an ocean beach. One of the things we loved doing was renting motor scooters to ride alongside the crashing waves. The scooters had the capacity to go quite fast, but their speed was dramatically reduced by the use of a governor device on the engine. No matter how hard we stepped on the gas, the scooters would never exceed the fixed limit. The only way we could go faster is to adjust it or remove it (of course, we didn't). In the same way, everyone has a “mental governor” in their head that regulates their life and has the power to propel them forward or drag them down! The way to affect your mental governor is through memorizing Scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit. God can help you change the way you think, so ask Him!

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.” (Rom. 8:5-7 NLT)

What to do

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-4 NIV) 

What to think about

There’s so much negative and destructive information coming at us from every direction: from other people, from social media sources, and from all types of entertainment. As a Christian, God provides you with a checklist to guide your thinking.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Phil. 4:8 NLT) 

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:2-3)

Tberefore

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16 NIV)

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16 NLT)

What’s prayer got to do with it?

When I was a teenager living in a log cabin in the wilds of Alaska, I asked my mother if she ever prayed. She said, “Yes, honey, every time I get a fish on my line, I say, 'God, help me catch it!’” That was it! I never actually saw her pray about anything. Prayer was always a mysterious thing to me. I had lots of questions, but no answers. I wondered why anyone would pray. And would there actually be anyone listening if they did? And I didn’t even know how to pray in the first place if I wanted to.

It’s still like that today

I speak with lots of people, even many Christians, who don’t pray or rarely do. And if they do pray, it’s some kind of formula prayer that they recite before meals or say before going to sleep.

Even the apostles didn’t understand how to pray

The apostles were also confused about how they should pray and asked Jesus to teach them. So, He taught them the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:5–15; Luke 11:1–13). You hear it often recited at funerals and other serious events. But Jesus never meant it to be used in place of personal prayer to God (Matt. 6:7). It was meant to serve as a guide regarding eight things you should include when you pray. He said to pray “like this” not to pray this (Matt. 6:9).   1) Pray to your Father, who is in heaven. 2) Acknowledge that His Name is holy. 3) Invite His kingdom to come. 4) Ask His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. 5) Ask Him to supply your daily food. 6) Ask Him to forgive your sins as you forgive others. 7) Ask Him to keep you from temptation and away from evil. And finally, 8) Acknowledge His kingdom, His glory, and His power forever, Amen! Just keep these things in mind and apply them wherever you can as you pray. The main thing is to pray to God continually about everything! (1 Peter 5:7).

Don’t worry about getting it wrong!

The wonderful thing about prayer is that you have the Holy Spirit’s help with it! He’s your personal interpreter! The Bible even says that we don’t know how to pray the way we should, but that the Spirit helps us and will turn our imperfect prayer into exactly what we should be praying about! That’s right, He helps and corrects our prayers for us! (Rom. 8:26–27). That’s really wonderful because we often don’t have all the information we need when praying for someone. But God knows exactly what’s going on and will make our prayers perfect!

Prayer is your Christian privilege as a member of Gods family!

Prayer is simply approaching God in a conversational way about anything and everything you’re concerned about. It’s really that simple! Prayer became possible for you the moment you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior; when you openly “declared that Jesus is Lord and you believed in your heart that God raised him from the dead,” you were instantly saved (Rom. 10:9). And you became “born again” (John 3:1–21). This process made you a member of God’s family and a joint heir with Jesus (Rom. 8:17). And God then gave you the right to approach him boldly in prayer (Heb. 4:16). That’s right, you can come right out and talk to God boldly about anything and everything, at any time. In fact, he wants you to (Matt. 7:7).

Therefore

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Rom. 7:24 NLT)

Some people find it difficult to accept Jesus’ forgiveness for their sins!

They feel guilty and condemned all the time, are never at peace, are never victorious, and they continually beat themselves up over past sins and mistakes. This is not from God! But it is from the devil, who is a liar, thief, and robber who constantly attacks and condemns Christians (John 8:44). And he is the accuser of God’s children (Rev. 12:10).

More than enough!

What Jesus did on the cross was more than enough to forgive and cleanse completely from all sins and mistakes, both past and future!

“For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14 NLT) 

“Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 7:25 NLT)

“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;” (Rom. 8:33)

Therefore

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thess. 3:3)

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Eph. 6:11)

“and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” (2 Thess. 2:10-11 NIV) 

Ever wonder why some people can lie with great conviction and sincerity?

Because they actually do believe the lie, and they actually cannot see the truth, no matter how much evidence contradicts it! How does someone get to the place where they become blind to the truth? The passage at the top states the reason clearly, “They refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” And in First Timothy 4:2, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

We are beginning to see this deception everywhere!

We see it across all news platforms as commentators look directly into the camera and boldly lie. We see it on all social media platforms. We see educators from kindergarten through universities teaching lies to our children. And politicians of every flavor boldly lie without a conscience. Yes, it’s everywhere!

How to keep that from happening to you and yours

Look at that passage at the top again and then do the opposite; love the truth and be saved! That’s the absolute answer; get saved and become familiar with what God’s word (the truth) says on all matters!

Therefore

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Eph. 4:15)

“It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30 NIV)

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 7:32)

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” (Acts 2:39)

There are thousands of promises for you and your children found throughout the Bible. But there are only two kinds which fall in one of two categories, either unconditional or conditional. Learn to recognize them.

1)    Unconditional promises: They are exactly what they are without any conditions attached to them, period. No matter what you do, they cannot be undone. For example, here’s God’s unconditional promise about Israel: “Whoever blesses Israel will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed.” (Num. 24:9, Gen. 49:9, Gen. 12:3). You read this promise and then decide which side you’re on. It should be a no brainer!

2)    Conditional Promises: They are activated by your obedience. You recognize them because they include words like “if” or “but”. Or at some point in the passage God asks you to be involved in some way. Pay close attention! For example, look at the “if’s” in the following: “Then Jesus told them, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” (Matt 21:21-22 NLT)

So, in view of the above, what kind of a promise is the following?

“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.” (1 John 2:35). That’s right, it’s unconditional!

Therefore

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)

The following passage from Psalms 91 has multiple promises for you to enjoy! How do you get them? The answer is found in the first sentence. It starts with the tiny little word “if”. Therefore, you must follow the instructions to receive what is promised. It’s wonderful!

“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:9-16 NIV)

“Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 CSB)

A couple of days ago, I spoke about receiving perfect peace from God, no matter what happens. It’s a fact that everybody will have some kind of trouble happen from time to time, and Jesus said we would (John 16:33). And the Bible says what to do when it does happen.

When trouble comes

Yesterday, Susan and I were headed to another state in our RV to attend a funeral. About 90 miles from our destination, we had a blowout in a front tire. It happened next to a parking lot, and we quickly parked. I called AAA, and they came and changed the tire. But we found our spare was not very good and were told not to drive too far with it. So, we turned around and drove back home. Through all of this, we never got upset or lost our inner peace. That's because we knew God was with us and all would be well. One more thing we did was to cast that concern completely on Jesus. That’s exactly what the promise verse listed at the top tells us to do. The passage states both a command and a promise in the same verse. The command: “Cast all your cares on him.” Notice that it did not specify the severity of the cares or the size, but it says to cast all cares on Him! The promise: “Because He cares for you.” Just think about it. You are a product of God’s making (Isa. 43:7). The Bible says He even knows the number of the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). The Bible says He will never leave or forsake you (1 Cor. 10:13). So, why wouldn’t He care about your everyday problems, concerns, and happenings? Of course he does! He said he even sees when a sparrow falls, and He says you’re more valuable to Him than they are (Matt. 10:29).

Therefore

Always include God in every area of your life, especially when troubling things happen; just immediately cast them onto Jesus. And watch how He will handle them, as only He can!

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33 NIV)

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

This caught me by surprise!

At a recent conference I was attending, I spoke to a young man who stopped by my table where I was handing out gospel tracts. I asked him if he was a follower of Jesus, and he said, “I sure am!” And he looked down and pointed to the inside of his shirt. Puzzled, I asked him what he was doing. And he said, I have a Bible verse tattooed on my chest.” Surprised and a bit astonished, I asked him, “What verse?” And he said, “Luke 6:37.” That’s our promise verse at the top. We then spent some time discussing what it meant for his daily life as a representative of Jesus. Basically, the verse says not to judge or condemn others but instead to forgive them. And by doing so, the promise is that you won’t be judged, you won’t be condemned, but you will be forgiven! Now that’s a great way to live as Jesus did!

Therefore

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32)

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isa. 26:3)

Hit and run

Last week I was on a business trip in another state, and my phone rang at 1:00 in the morning, waking me up from a sound sleep. It was my granddaughter, Cedar. She said a car had driven through our front yard, took out our fence, hit a tree (now teetering dangerously toward the house windows), then fled the scene. The police were on the way. I couldn’t do anything from where I was. My grandson, Gabe, arrived, took charge, and spoke to the police. I went back to sleep.

Constant peace

It’s been about a week since the above happened. The rest of the uprooted tree was cut down, and my grandson, Gabe, dug up the massive stump its root, and it’s about to leave on a truck. The fence is mostly rebuilt, and everything is almost back to normal. Through all of this, I had constant peace. 

Trouble will happen!

Trouble comes in many forms, usually suddenly and without warning. But the fact is, you will have trouble from time to time; everybody does. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). Jesus said you will have trouble but to take heart; He has overcome the world! He’s got it all under control! And not only will he help you through troubles, He will give you perfect peace during them!

Therefore

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thess. 3:16 ESV)