Let’s Get Our Thinkers…..Thinking!

Our minds can be battlefields -- especially when the good, the bad and the ugly are warring with each other. I experienced it recently when, within five minutes, two different car drivers cut me off to get a better place in my lane. Oh, how I wanted to honk-explode on them -- but didn't. I could feel my blood boiling and really wanted to react. But, thank God, I didn't. I've come to know that the only person I'm getting even with is myself when I overreact. Here's how we can get our thinkers thinking beyond the present moment:

1. Think about Jesus. We’ve heard the saying, “You become what you think about most.” We must fill our thoughts with Him if we want to become more like Jesus.

“Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to Him. So, do not get tired and stop trying”. (Hebrews 12:3)

2. Think about others. That is so opposite to what the world teaches us to think about our self and nobody else. Jesus was always counter cultural. When we think about Him, we’ll more easily think of others.

“Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing”. (Philippians 2:4)

1. Think about Jesus. We’ve heard the saying, “You become what you think about most.” If we want to become more like Jesus, we must fill our thoughts with Him.

3. Think about eternity. When we start focusing on truths like that, all of our problems are going to seem inferior compared to the glory, the joy, and the pleasure of the things we have to look forward to in eternity.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9)

Our mind is our greatest asset and our greatest battleground. We'll win our battles when we ask God to help us make the choice every day to feed on His Word and fill our mind with Jesus, others and eternity. Let’s get our “thinkers” thinking about our good, good Father Who loves His kids so, so much and Who intends us to win and WIN BIG!

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Cor 10:5)

We’ve Arrived….Well, Maybe Not!

I think back on my life and the times I thought I had “arrived”. I had a boyfriend at last! I’ve arrived! I graduated from high school. I’ve arrived. I landed a great job. I've arrived! I got married. I’ve arrived. I had a baby --- then, two babies! I’ve arrived. In reality, those were never arrivals. They were simply journeys that still continue – even to today.

Once upon a time, I thought being a Christian was a “you’ve arrived kind of thing.” The truth is: I haven't arrived. I am still in great need of my Savior. I must lean on him...24/7. Sometimes I'd like to retreat -- even for a 10-minute nap! To say it’s often a battle puts it mildly. But the crazy good news is this – the battle is good. Good for us. It makes us warriors.

God has the game plan and assures us of a win....eventually. So I’ve come to be okay with the battle. We often get "bruised and battered" in the combat, but the battle makes us wiser and more aware of the same old schemes and tactics of the enemy of our souls. We get stronger. He gets dumber. He is such a loser.

The truth is our faith journey isn’t about arriving. It is about carrying on. We "pick up our cross and follow Jesus" -- no turning back. Our journey is about grabbing hold of the hem of Jesus’ garment and hanging on for dear life. And while we're holding on, we trust that the enemy is waving the white flag of surrender and shouting "CEASE FIRE"! But we don't cease fire. We are in it to win it and no doubt we will because the Lord is with us as a mighty warrior (Jeremiah 20:11).

I've had my times on the battlefield. I assure you -- all the battle scars turn into our testimony. People hear our story and are often star-struck at God in us. We point heavenward because you and I both know, it is a miracle that we’re still here and we’re still standing -- because of God's amazing grace!

This faith ride that we’re on isn’t a one-time ticket where we can say “I’ve arrived!” it is a continual commute. It is a consistent day-by-day, in the trenches of life, even being engaged in an ongoing battle that must be fought minute-by-minute. We are in the middle of it each day and we will not surrender. We will not give up because, in God’s sight and His all-knowing end of the story – we win. It all counts. It is all worth it. God sees. The celebrations will begin when we step over to the other side and it all will be worth it. In the meantime.....we suit up, show up and FORWARD march!

"Christ, the royal Master leads against the foe; forward into battle. See, His banners go! Onward Christian Soldiers! Marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before."