The Power of Thought

The Power of Thought

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Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8 – NASB)

 Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. (Philippians 4:8 – NCV)

“… meditate on these things.” NKJV)

I read a disturbing novel by Michael Crichton concerning a sphere discovered on the sea bottom. Those entering the sphere received a new power: the power to turn their thoughts, both positive and negative, into reality. The results were frightening. At one point, because of one man’s childhood fear, a giant squid repeatedly attacked the underwater habitat. A number of people died.

This presents us with a frightening scenario: What if all the thoughts people think become reality? What if our hates and resentments and secret wishes all materialized suddenly before us? What if our lusts and hopes and fears became real manifestations for all to see? Would we be able to live with these things if they did not stay hidden away from the probing eyes of our friends and neighbours?

What we do not often realize is that the things we think and feel and hope for and long after and dwell on, do manifest themselves. What we nurture in the inner sanctum of our hearts, sooner or later becomes clear to those around us, and will eventually stare us in the face from the bathroom mirror.

The fears we refuse to face will etch themselves on our skin and be reflected in our eyes. The lies we tell, though never discovered, will twist our character out of shape; the resentments we cling to will tighten our mouths and paint bitterness into our every gaze. We cannot escape the consequences of what we think, because what we think is inevitably what we become.

What is true negatively, is also true in a positive sense. If we discipline our thought-life to dwell on what is true, lovely, noble — these will also show themselves in the kind of people we become for all to see.

If the power of the Gospel effects anything in our lives it should be our thought-life. What occupies our thoughts will inevitably result in actions, good or bad.

It was because the apostle Paul was so intensely aware of the power of our thoughts to effect our characters, that he urges us to give such close attention to them.

Consider how:

True things will STRAIGHTEN Us

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just…” (NKJV)

Lovely Things will SOFTEN Us

“…whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely…” (NKJV)

Good Things will SWEETEN Us

“…whatever things [are] of good report, if [there] is any virtue and if [there] is anything praiseworthy . . .”

Thoughts

(© Tuesday 17^th March 2015 – by Cristopher Shennan)

 Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. (Philippians 4:8 – NCV)

Nobody sees the thoughts you think,

At least, not right then and not there;

But as time and the seasons go –

The evidence is everywhere.

The thoughts you think will appear

On the lines on your face, for sure;

In the tone of the voice you use –

Be they corrupt, or be they pure.

The thoughts you think will betray you,

Whether they be good, or are ill;

They’ll slowly form your character,

For all men to read, as they will.

I’ve made up my mind to take care,

To think only thoughts that are true;

To think only thoughts of goodness,

And those that bring blessing to you.

I’ll banish thoughts that assault me,

That still come from an evil place;

They’ll have no more place within me.

They’ll go – by God’s amazing Grace.

Please visit My website: http://www.christophershennan.ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CNShennan
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Close Up of The Thinker by Brian Hillegas. Copyright. Used under the CC BY 2.0 license; please note the Disclaimer at this site. We made no changes to this photo.

Friendship

Friendship

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A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 – NASB)

In one of his newsletters Charles F. Stanley shared the following:

“Many years ago, I read a description of a genuine friend. Although I don’t remember who said it, I wrote it down and have kept it all these years.

A friend is a treasure who loves you as you are, sees not only who you are but who you can become, is there to catch you when you fall, shares your everyday experiences, accepts your worst but helps you become your best, understands your past, believes in your future, accepts you today just as you are, and comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

Some may consider this as setting the bar too high, making it an unattainable goal. “All you are doing,” some may say, “is setting us up for a fall. We will end up in discouragement and defeat. Better to aim for something a little more demanding and much for ‘reachable.’ That way we will not be plagued by defeat of failure.”

That kind of thinking totally ignores the incredible provisions God has made for ever true disciple of our Lord. In his second letter, the apostle Peter describes these provisions:

…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of [the] divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (1 Peter 1:3-4 NASB)

Two things stand out in these verses that total destroys the argument made above:

First, God has provided for us everything pertaining to life and godliness. Nothing is denied us in the pursuit of our spiritual goals. If it is the need to be a true friend, God has given us everything we need to attain that goal.

Secondly, He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of [the] divine nature. God’s nature operating within is will enable us to manifest the true characteristics of a friend.

The Friend I Want to Be

(© Monday 23^rd February 2015 – by Christopher Shennan

A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 – NASB)

I don’t want to just have a friend,

That is faithful, strong, and is true;

Sticking closer than a brother

Would, and always loving you, too.

No, I want to be such a friend,

By the working of God’s great power;

By believing in His promise –

Be a true friend every hour.

I don’t want to make excuses,

Saying, “The bar is set too high.”

I’d rather believe His promise,

And refuse to question why.

I know God’s plan for me, dear friend,

Is to be a friend, just Like Him,

For he’s granted all that’s needed,

So that I this great race can win.

Please visit My website: http://www.christophershennan.ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CNShennan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherShennanAuthor

“Friendship,” by Mathias Klang. Copyright. Used under the CC BY 2.0 license; please note the Disclaimer at this link. No changes were made to this photo.