Thought Inventory
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ (1 Peter 1:15-1)
What’s God doing in your life?
Take a moment to reflect back on the week. How was God faithful to you this last week? Did you see Him come through for you? Is there something new that you learned this last week? I would love to hear about it! Drop me a line!
This last week, one thing that God has really placed on my heart is a need to do a little spring cleaning. I know it’s early, but when I tell you where the cleaning is going to begin…I think you will understand. I’m going to do a little spring cleaning in the branches of my mind. I’m sure that sounds comical in some ways. But honestly, I really want my thoughts to reflect Christ. I know I can do a lot better than I have done, so I’m going to take the necessary action to do so. Your welcome to join me!
Let’s take a look at some verses and see what we can do to get our thoughts more focused on Christ!
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:13)
I see here in this verse that God has called me to prepare my mind for action. The best way to be ready for action is to clear out the junk that doesn’t belong in my mind. My mind has become water-logged in some ways and a water-logged mind just doesn’t run as smoothly. Have you ever felt like that? The Scripture above talks about being self-controlled and setting our hope on Jesus. I’m going to follow this discipline a little more thoroughly. I know my mind will be grateful. I’m going to take the junk out and replace it with God’s Truth. Society has a way of feeding us a lot of garbage and time throughout our lives can cause us to forget to focus on what’s important. I’m going to take these next few weeks to really examine my thoughts and pluck out the ones that don’t exemplify Christ.
“…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:5)
This verse reminds us that we need to take our thoughts captive daily. We cannot dwell on things that are negative or that don’t please the Lord. We need to make every thought obedient to Jesus Christ. This should not happen when we feel like it, but it should be happening daily…every moment of our lives. I have been studying these Scriptures a lot and I can tell you, it’s rewarding to take every thought captive. I have noticed the difference it is making in my life to truly allow God to help me see His Truth. I’m not dwelling on things that aren’t true. I’m not assuming things from what people say or allowing Satan to twist what someone says. It has really benefited me in my Christian walk. We have to remember that we can’t change anyone else, but we can change how we respond, react, and receive from others. We can learn how to live from God’s Truth!
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
God’s Truth reminds us that we no longer live in our old sinful nature. We have let go of it for something far greater, something the world strives to have. A new life and this new life comes with a new attitude. A changing of our minds! What will our attitudes look like towards Christ? Will we develop a mind of Christ and reflect the character we have seen lived out in our Savior? I know what my thought inventory is and when I look over it, I see what needs to change. I’m going to take some time to step away from the things that I think sometimes cause me to stray from my thoughts on the Lord and not be as focused. What are the things that cause you to not be as focused? Can you give them up for a little while? Let’s take a little more time in the Word, in prayer, in worship, in nature, and even spend time listening. Let’s get our minds focused on Christ and reflect His character a little more! Our thoughts do matter!
Sow a thought and you reap an act.
Sow an act and you reap a habit.
Sow a habit and you reap a character.
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.
~Charles Reade
May we start by sowing thoughts that please Christ and represent His character in an exemplary way!
Challenge: Read 1 Peter 1
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 1:15-16 or 1 Peter 1:13-16, Let me know how you are doing on your verses. How is God using these verses in your life? Have you seen God do something new in your life through the verses you have memorized?
Dear Father God, Thank You for continuing to show me how important it is to have the mind of Christ. I know that every thought I think is important to You. My thoughts can lead me down a road of righteousness or a road of unholiness. I choose the road of righteousness. I choose the road that leads to life. Help me to think more purely and honestly. Help my thoughts to reflect Your Character. I pray for this cleansing of my mind and that You will renew it daily. Thank You Father for taking the time to renew my thoughts!
Making the most of my thoughts,
God has been so faithful to me not just this week but this day, this morning before I got out of bed I laid in bed did my devotion and then had prayer. Asked God what will He have me to do this day? And though my day is not over yet He was faithful to show me in His word that when I did my bible studying this evening He showed me in His word how we are to give God our first fruits. To put Him first before anything else, in our marriage in our families, careers, friendships He must be first. I have to say that today without a doubt that what I asked God this morning in prayer He revealed it right back to me in my bible study tonight as I was reading the word.
Great post my dear and thank your for sharing your story as well.
It’s always so good to hear how God has been faithful. I agree that putting God first at the start of our day makes a huge difference on how the rest of the day goes. It is so vital to put Him first in all things! It seems like common sense, but yet we often forget that God deserves our best. He is too incredible to be anything but first! When we put Him first, everything else falls into place. Life with our spouse, children, careers and friendships all line up in a wonderful way. God can make order out of everything! He’s so amazing!
Indeed a very meanigful devotion. It is a daily excercise based on the word of the Lord to keep our thoughts within his holiness. God bless your ministry in Christ
T .Samuel Ravi Kumar
Thank you!