DAY 11 of NEW START '15
How many thoughts do you have a day...
A thousand?
One-hundred thousand?
A zillion?
Thoughts constantly bombard the mind... positive and negative. No doubt, the world around us influences our thought process. The enemy, Satan, consistently targets our minds with the goal of igniting ungodly thinking. Combating his tactics are vital.
How?
By filling our minds with God’s Word, praise and worship music, conversations with God, and godly discussions help keep us focused on Jesus throughout the day. Asking God to help change our "Thought Life to a Prayer Life" is key.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Paul tells us to, Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Is he focusing only on negative thoughts? Or, just positive thoughts? No, Paul tells us to take EVERY thought to Jesus. So, if we take captive our zillion thoughts a day how often are we talking to God? ALL DAY LONG!
Awe, now we're getting somewhere. God desires His children to have a living, walking, breathing relationship with Him 24/7. Asking the Lord to help us change our "Thought Life to a Prayer Life" changes our daily focus, our minds, and our actions. We end up having moment-by-moment conversations with Him everywhere we go. As a result, we become His prayer walkers.
The more we communicate with the Lord, the more we the words of Jesus flow through us... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and all your strength.–Mark 12:30
Love the Lord with all your mind? What does the mind have to do with your spiritual life? How is it possible to love God with your mind? The Greek word for the word mind, in Mark 12:30, is dianoia, which means the place in the brain that understands, feels and thinks. This area of the brain discerns, perceives and distinguishes thoughts - good or wrong.[1]
Jesus is commanding us to... Love the Lord with all your mind. Just like physical food nourishes the body, so spiritual food cultivates the mind. What we allow into our minds has the potential to ignite godly thoughts or fleshly desires. The television shows, movies, books, and internet articles affect our thought process. Asking God to help us discern what we read or view is vital to keeping our mind focused on Jesus.
LIFE CHALLENGE
Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to clear your mind of the daily agendas, worries, fears, and burdens. Focus on His Word. Open your heart and mind to all He has for you. Choose to experience the warmth of God’s love by abiding in Jesus. Allow Him to renew your mind through prayer, by reading His Word and applying the truths to your life. Finally, ask God to help you change your "Thought Life to a Prayer Life." In our flesh, if we try to do this ourselves we will fail. The Holy Spirit equips us in living a praying life. Release it to Him and watch what happens. Enjoy the journey as He changes your thoughts to prayers!
*THOUGHT LIFE to a PRAYER LIFE" is an excerpt from Carla McDougal's newest book "LIVE FOR HIM: A Life Sold Out to Jesus" soon to release in spring 2015.
MY PRAYER CHAIR Audio Book is now available. Listen to a chapter sample...
Purchase your copy today at REFLECTIVE LIFE MINISTRIES
From My Heart To Yours,
[1] http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1271&t=KJV