LISTEN

TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT ...

I heard a story about a little girl who whined and complained about everything one day. The next day, she was cheerful and sweet to everyone. Her mother said, “What happened to you? Yesterday, you had such a bad attitude. Today, you’re so happy about everything?”

The little girl replied, “Yesterday my thoughts were pushing me around. Today I’m pushing my thoughts around.”

Just like this little girl, we have a choice. We can either let our thoughts push us around, or we can push our thoughts around. That’s why the Bible tells us to take captive every thought and make sure it lines up with the Word of God. If you allow negative thoughts to play over and over in your head, soon they will cause you to say and do things you will regret later. Instead of keeping score in your mind, keep a positive attitude. When it comes to those little irritations, let people off the hook by looking for the best in them. When you do, you influence others to do the same. Do you ever notice that when you have a negative perspective about someone, it doesn’t take long before the people around you do, too? That’s why we shouldn’t focus on the negative; we should focus on what’s best in others.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul told us what to think on: things that are good, true, noble, pure, lovely, kind and admirable. These are the things to set your mind on. See, you can’t set your mind on autopilot. You have to choose what to think about. Your boss can’t choose your thoughts; your mother can’t choose your thoughts, only you can choose your thoughts. And, what you think about is what you move toward. Your thoughts will either set you up or set you down. Choose to take captive every thought. Push your thoughts around and move forward into the blessing and victory God has in store for you!

“…We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

TAKE TIME TO LISTEN :

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. – James 1:5

When you're facing a problem, the very first thing you should ask God for is wisdom. Not money. Not power. Not even healing. But wisdom.

God's wisdom is the key that will unlock every door in your life. It will turn your every failure into success. So, stop wasting your prayer power begging God for things you think you need and spend some time instead listening to what He has to say about your situation.

If you've never tried that before, practically speaking, here's what you need to do.
First: Lay out the entire problem before the Lord, not because He doesn't know what you're going through, but because laying it out helps you. It helps you see things from a more objective point of view.

I remember when I used to take my problems to my father, A. W. Copeland. Somehow, when I was explaining them to him, they began to look different to me. I'd get a new perspective, and as I talked, he'd point out areas I hadn't considered yet. Explaining your problems to God, point by point, will help you accomplish the same thing.

Second: Listen for the Spirit of God to advise you. Pay particular attention to what He says through the written Word. Most likely, the care of your problem has choked the Word of God right out of your heart (Mark 4:18-19). If so, you need to get the Bible and begin to put that Word back in again. Then the Holy Spirit will begin to speak to you through it.

As you're listening, be sure to remain teachable. Be ready to accept rebuke if necessary. Be very honest with God. Look for ways in which you've been wrong and confess them to Him. It's all right. Those sins won't come as any surprise to Him. He already knows about them. Confession just gives you the opportunity to get rid of them.

Third: Act on the wisdom God gives you. Let go of your own methods and put His methods into operation. Be obedient. If you don't, that wonderful wisdom won't do you any good at all.

As you pray today, set aside your own ideas and start seeking the wisdom of God. It's the only thing that can permanently solve the problems you've been facing. It's truly the most precious gift God has to give.

Seek wisdom.

HE BLESSES WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE

John 6:9, "There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"

Notice that Jesus didn't just turn some of the stones into bread (as Satan had tempted Him to do in Lk. 4:3). We find only one instance in scripture where God created a supply to meet a need (Num. 11:21-23). Usually, the Lord simply blesses what we set our hand to do. The resources were totally inadequate to meet the need in this instance, but when the Lord blessed it, there was more than enough.

Jesus didn't just teach the disciples, but He trained them also. He was constantly trying to involve them in these miracles. Just a matter of days later, He again asked His disciples what they could do to feed the multitude of four thousand men. It was like He was saying "You missed this question when I asked you how we could feed the five thousand men. Now, here are less people and more food. What would you suggest this time?"

Instead of remembering the previous miracle, they acted like they had never seen Jesus feed the multitude and they looked at their own resources again (Mt. 15:32; Mk. 8:1). Likewise, we all too often try everything we can do first and forget God's supernatural power until all we can do is pray. Many people have missed their miracle because they never took that first step of faith and used what they had. This young lad was certainly credited with part of this miracle for offering what he had. When in need, we should seek God's direction for something to set our hand to, and then trust Him to bless it and multiply the results of our work

PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT!

'I will bless the Lord at all times.' Psalm 34:1 NKJV

If you shout your lungs out at a ball game on Saturday, but sit silent and subdued when it's time to worship God on Sunday, maybe you're more excited about sports than spiritual matters. Ouch! A great definition of worship is 'worth-ship'. What worth do you place on God and on your relationship with Him? You say, 'But sometimes I don't feel like praising God.' Feelings have little to do with it! A good relationship isn't based on emotion but on commitment. The Bible says, '...Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.' (Hebrews13:15 NKJV) Note the words 'continually' and 'sacrifice'. With God, the praise that costs is the praise that counts! King David wanted to build an altar to God on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah offered David the land, oxen and wood needed for building the altar free of charge. But David's response was: 'I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.' (2 Samuel 24:24 NIV) The Psalmist said, 'From the rising of the sun unto its going down, the Lord's name is to be praised.' (Psalm 113:3 NKJV) This Psalmist scheduled praisebreaks throughout his day: 'Seven times a day I praise You.' (Psalm 119:164 NKJV) We have tea and coffee breaks; he had praisebreaks! If you want to change your environment and your attitude, start praising God throughout the day. Not only will you bless the Lord, will bless you in a hundred and one different ways. Don't take anybody else's word for it - try it and see!

PRAYER FOR THE DAY :

“They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23)

Dear Lord God, I praise You. I honor You. I sing You a new song with my lips of pureness for You are great and faithfulness.Let the morning breeze blow to me with the aroma of Christ that my soul is revived and my mind is refreshed instantaneously. May God fill me with the Holy Spirit and impart me wisdom and knowledge in order to help me to achieve all good things daily! Bless me O God, remember me with favor O Lord; for all I have done in Your name.

Gratefully, in Jesus’ holy name. Amen !!!