|
GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue# 515 June 8, 2002 Thoughts There are dozens of little scraps of paper on our around my desk. All of them have something written on them. Most of them are ideas that have come to mind for Gleanings. Some are clear to me as the day I made the note; it just hasn’t been the proper time to use it. Others are scrawled ideas that I must have written in a hurry because I really can’t read what they say and I can’t tell what I was thinking. Some are full fledged ideas that simply need a little fleshing out. Others are random thoughts or half baked metaphors. Those scraps remind me of my intentions. Some I haven’t done because the timing is not right. Others I forgot about, still others were probably half baked ideas. The problem with good intentions is that like my scraps of paper they really have no value unless you do something with them. They simply stay thoughts. How often have you said: I should have a daily time with God? I’d really like to read my whole Bible through? I should pray for my pastor? I’d like to give more? Really meaning it at the moment, planning to do it but somehow just never getting around to doing it. Our minds can also be filled with scraps of evil intentions. How about those evil thoughts that you are just waiting to put into practice? Next time he does that I’m going to&ldots;? I’ll show her! When the boss isn’t looking.. I’ll get you back! Unlike good intentions, we’re best served if we never put these thoughts into action. Our minds can be a jumble of good and bad, of things holy and perverse. It can be a tornado of whirling good intentions and evil plans. Our thoughts can lead us towards righteousness or towards sin. Which way will you let yours go? The LORD knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile. Psalm 94:11 NIV How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Psalm 13:2 NIV The key is to seek God’s thoughts. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:17 NIV Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess Hebrews 3:1 NIV The next time a thought passes through your mind, if it glorifies God, put it into action or hold on to it until the time is right. If it doesn’t, put in the trash. I think that’s just what I’ll do with all those little notes I can’t read. Until next time, may your thoughts and deeds be pleasing to God. Be blessed. Kevin Do you know the God who can get you past all those dark things floating around in your head? Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your prayer concerns and praise reports email us. If you enjoy this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://hundred-acre-woods.com/magic-list/lists/ or email me at gleanings@gleaningsfromtheword.com
To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us or write us at Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2002 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Ministries International All Rights Reserved
SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
|
||||