Show Off – Part 1

 Jesus said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” (Mat 15.11,18-20 NIV) He also pointed out in Mat 12.34b that it is, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”.

 

Therefore, Paul exhorts to “……….do (your) best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse  [The Message Bible Phil 4.8]

 

God’s thoughts for us outnumber the grains of sand. (Psalm 139:16-18) God’s thoughts are centered around plans to prosper us and to give us a bright future. (Jer 29.11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (KJV) “plans to give you the future you hope for” – MSG)

 

Our thought pattern greatly influence our belief systems and that in turn shape our behavior & character. Our character is molded by the way we think. Negative thoughts drain away our energy and joy positive thoughts give us more energy and strength.

Once an eagle egg managed to hatch alongside a fowl’s hatchlings. The eagle chick and the chicken chicks grew together under the watchful eye of the mother hen. The eagle chick learned to forage food among the dirt and never attempted to fly away into the wide open sky. However, one day its mother flew over and the young eagle too flew up to great heights with its mother.

Just like the young chick in this story, it is not sufficient for us to have positive thoughts. Our thoughts need to be aligned with the thoughts of God as revealed in the Bible, so that we too may soar on eagle wings to heights we were destined to fly.

Let us determine today to think differently by aligning our thoughts with the Word of God.

Encourage One Another In the Lord

The Word of God exhorts those who are strong in faith to make a point of encouraging others in their faith, “We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak in order to build them up in the faith” (Romans 15:1).

When you know that someone believes in you, it brings out your best. Jesus did this with the Apostle Peter. “Petros,” Peter’s name, meant pebble. But Jesus said, “Pebble, you’re going to be a rock. I’m giving you a new name.” When Jesus said that to Peter, the apostle was anything but a rock. He was Mr. Impulsive, Mr. Foot-in-Mouth. But Jesus didn’t tell him what he was—he told him what he could be. He gave Peter confidence to live up to his potential.

When the Israelites were stuck between the Red Sea in front and the Egyptian army behind them Moses encouraged them with these words. “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

We all need all the encouragement we can get.  Let us also be eager to give encouragement to those God has placed around us.