Think!

Think!

Think ~ “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭

Aretha Franklin, in the song “Think”, famously sang these words:

“You better think (think) 

Think about what you’re trying to do to me…”

With apologies to the Queen of Soul, I’m going to replace the word DO with the word SAY. 

“You better think (think) 

Think about what you’re trying to SAY to me…”

In other words, we need to 

“Think before we speak.”

I found a helpful acrostic on LinkedIn this morning.

THINK

T- is it true?

H- is it helpful?

I- is it inspiring?

N- is it necessary?

K- is it kind?

I’m probably not going to remember every word of the acrostic, but I will remember the principle of it. (I did write it down and I plan on using it as a bookmark.)

So, when I’m upset and tempted to say something unkind, I will take a deep breath and… THINK.

Let’s agree with David, who prayed:

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141:3‬ ‭

The Good Old Days

The Good Old Days

The Good Old Days

“Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭

Do you find yourself thinking about the “good old days?” Wishing that things were like they were before? 

I think we all do that from time to time. We look at the past with “rose-colored glasses.” In other words, we intentionally forget the bad things.

Billy Joel, in the song “Keeping the Faith,” sang:

“‘Cause the good ole days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”

The children of Israel were missing the “good old days.” Things were getting hard in the wilderness, so they started complaining to Moses.

“The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16:3‬ ‭

What they chose to forget was that they were in slavery in Egypt. Back then, they cried out to God for deliverance, because the bondage was difficult and cruel. 

They also forgot God’s recent miracles. Hint: parting of the Red Sea, and deliverance from Pharaoh’s army. 

It’s ok to think about the past, on occasion. Just don’t live there…

One good thing to remember from the past is God’s blessings, healing, and answered prayer! 

Keep moving forward!

The Lord Will Accomplish What Concerns Me

The Lord Will Accomplish What Concerns Me

“The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138:8‬ ‭

Sometimes we have days where we wonder if we are going to make it. 

We get distracted and overwhelmed by all the circumstances of our lives.

I was feeling that way the other day. Then I read this verse during my devotional time.

“The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭138:8‬ ‭

The verse gave me encouragement that God was in control, He would not leave me and He will accomplish His purpose in my life. 

Paul said it this way:

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭

God finishes what He starts!

If you are in a similar situation today, spend some quiet time with God and His Word.

Remember that God has not forsaken you. He will accomplish His purpose in your life. Keep trusting the LORD.

May He comfort and encourage you!